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Sang-O vs Type 209

Overview

The Sang-O and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes.

The Type 209 displaces 1,285 tons — 4.7x the Sang-O's 275 tons. The Sang-O reaches 7.5 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 1,500 nautical miles for the Sang-O vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Sang-O carries a crew of 15 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 370 tons for the Sang-O vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 150 m for the Sang-O.

The Sang-O was produced in 41 units vs 68 for the Type 209. The Sang-O was commissioned in 1991, 20 years after the Type 209 (1971).

North Korean coastal submarine introduced in 1991, with around 40 boats still in service.
Origin 🇰🇵 North Korea
Category Submarine
Type Coastal submarine
Manufacturer Bong Dao Bo Shipyard, Sinpo
Year introduced 1991
Number built 41 units
Estimated unit price NA
German diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1971, displaces 1,285 tons.
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric attack submarine
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Year introduced 1971
Number built 68 units
Estimated unit price $285 million
Displacement 275 tons
Maximum speed 7.5 knots
Range 1,500 nm
Length 34.0 m
Beam 3.8 m
Crew 15
Max depth 150 m
Propulsion Diesel-electric, 1 diesel engine, 1 electric motor, 1 shaft
Armament
  • 4 × 533 mm torpedo tubes with 53-65KE torpedoes
  • Minelaying capability (up to 16 mines)
Displacement 1,285 tons
Maximum speed 11.0 knots
Range 11,000 nm at 10 knots
Length 64.4 m
Beam 6.5 m
Crew 36
Max depth 500 m
Propulsion Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 6,100 shp (4,500 kW)
Armament
  • 8 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 14 torpedoes
  • UGM-84 Harpoon missiles
  • SeaHake mod 4 torpedoes
  • SUT torpedoes
  • SST torpedoes
  • Mark 24 Tigerfish torpedoes
  • DM2A3 torpedoes
  • Blackshark torpedoes
  • A184 mod. 3 torpedoes
  • DM2A4 torpedoes
  • Mark 37 torpedoes
  • Mark 48 torpedoes
  • Mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Sang-O-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has greater displacement at 1,285 tons compared to the Sang-O-class's 275 tons.
Which is faster, the Sang-O-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class is faster with a maximum speed of 11 knots compared to the Sang-O-class's 7 knots.
Which has longer range, the Sang-O-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has a longer range at 11,000 nautical miles compared to the Sang-O-class's 1,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Sang-O-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class is longer at 64.4 meters compared to the Sang-O-class's 34.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Sang-O-class and Type 209-class have?
The Type 209-class has a larger crew complement of 36 compared to the Sang-O-class's 15 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Sang-O-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Sang-O-class's 150 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Sang-O-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 41 vessels of the Sang-O-class.