Alfa vs Swiftsure

Overview

The Alfa and the Swiftsure are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 2,300 tons for the Alfa vs 4,400 tons for the Swiftsure. The Alfa reaches 12 knots vs 20 knots for the Swiftsure. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Alfa vs 99,999 for the Swiftsure. The Alfa carries a crew of 31 vs 116 for the Swiftsure. Submerged displacement is 3,200 tons for the Alfa vs 4,900 tons for the Swiftsure. The Alfa can dive to 400 m compared to 300 m for the Swiftsure.

The Alfa was produced in 7 units vs 6 for the Swiftsure. The Alfa was commissioned in 1971, 2 years before the Swiftsure (1973).

Soviet nuclear attack submarine, introduced in 1971, reached a speed of 42 knots due to its titanium hull.
Profile of Alfa
Origin 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear attack submarine
Manufacturer Admiralty yard, Leningrad
Year introduced 1971
Number built 7 units
Estimated unit price NA
British nuclear-powered submarine, 4,400 tons displacement, propelled by shrouded pump-jet propulsors.
Profile of Swiftsure
Origin 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered fleet submarine
Manufacturer Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. (VSEL)
Year introduced 1973
Number built 6 units
Estimated unit price NA
Displacement 2,300 tons
Maximum speed 12.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 81.4 m
Beam 9.5 m
Crew 31
Max depth 400 m
Propulsion OK-550 or BM-40A, 155-MWt Lead-bismuth cooled, beryllium-moderated reactor; 40,000 shp (30,000 kW) steam turbine, one shaft
Armament
  • 6 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 18 SET-65 or 53-65K torpedoes
  • 20 VA-111 Shkval torpedoes
  • 24 mines
Displacement 4,400 tons
Maximum speed 20.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 82.9 m
Beam 9.8 m
Crew 116
Max depth 300 m
Propulsion Nuclear Reactor, shrouded pump-jet propulsors
Armament
  • 5 x 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Spearfish torpedoes
  • RN Sub Harpoon missiles
  • Tomahawk missiles

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Alfa-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Swiftsure-class has greater displacement at 4,400 tons compared to the Alfa-class's 2,300 tons.
Which is faster, the Alfa-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Swiftsure-class is faster with a maximum speed of 20 knots compared to the Alfa-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Alfa-class or Swiftsure-class?
Both the Alfa-class and Swiftsure-class are nuclear-powered and have unlimited range, limited only by food supplies and crew endurance.
Which is longer, the Alfa-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Swiftsure-class is longer at 82.9 meters compared to the Alfa-class's 81.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Alfa-class and Swiftsure-class have?
The Swiftsure-class has a larger crew complement of 116 compared to the Alfa-class's 31 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Alfa-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Alfa-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 400 meters compared to the Swiftsure-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Alfa-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Alfa-class has been built in greater numbers with 7 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Swiftsure-class.