GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily

Alfa vs Swiftsure

Alfa vs Swiftsure at a glance — displacement 2,300 vs 4,400 tons, length 81 vs 82 m, speed 12 vs 20 knots, crew 31 vs 116.

Alfa submarine side profile drawing
🇷🇺 Alfa
Swiftsure submarine side profile drawing
🇬🇧 Swiftsure
Specifications
Alfa Swiftsure
Origin 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered attack submarine Nuclear-powered attack submarine
Manufacturer Admiralty yard, Leningrad Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. (VSEL)
Year introduced 1971 1973
Number built 7 units 6 units
Estimated unit price NA NA
Displacement 2,300 tons 4,400 tons
Maximum speed 12.0 knots 20.0 knots
Range Unlimited Unlimited
Length 81.4 m 82.9 m
Beam 9.5 m 9.8 m
Crew 31 116
Max depth 400 m 300 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Alfa Swiftsure
Armament
  • 6 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 18 SET-65 or 53-65K torpedoes
  • 20 VA-111 Shkval torpedoes
  • 24 mines
  • 5 x 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Spearfish torpedoes
  • RN Sub Harpoon missiles
  • Tomahawk missiles
Propulsion OK-550 or BM-40A, 155-MWt Lead-bismuth cooled, beryllium-moderated reactor; 40,000 shp (30,000 kW) steam turbine, one shaft Nuclear Reactor, shrouded pump-jet propulsors
Change comparison vs

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.