Alfa vs Type 209

The Alfa and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes. Displacement is 2,300 tons for the Alfa vs 1,285 tons for the Type 209. The Alfa reaches 12 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Alfa vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Alfa carries a crew of 31 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 3,200 tons for the Alfa vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 400 m for the Alfa. The Alfa was produced in 7 units vs 68 for the Type 209.

Soviet nuclear attack submarine, introduced in 1971, reached a speed of 42 knots due to its titanium hull.
Origin 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear attack submarine
Manufacturer Admiralty yard, Leningrad
Year introduced 1971
Number built 7 units
Estimated unit price NA
German diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1971, displaces 1,285 tons.
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric attack submarines
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Year introduced 1971
Number built 68 units
Estimated unit price $285 million
Displacement 2,300 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 12.0 knots â—‰
Range Unlimited â—‰
Length 81.4 m â—‰
Beam 9.5 m â—‰
Crew 31 â—‰
Max depth 400 m â—‰
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 1,285 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 11.0 knots â—‰
Range 11,000 nm at 10 knots â—‰
Length 64.4 m â—‰
Beam 6.5 m â—‰
Crew 36 â—‰
Max depth 500 m â—‰
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 Alfa-class or Type 209-class?
The Alfa-class has greater displacement at 2,300 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Alfa-class or Type 209-class?
The Alfa-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Alfa-class or Type 209-class?
The Alfa-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Type 209-class has a range of 11,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Alfa-class or Type 209-class?
The Alfa-class is longer at 81.4 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Alfa-class and Type 209-class have?
The Type 209-class has a larger crew complement of 36 compared to the Alfa-class's 31 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Alfa-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Alfa-class's 400 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Alfa-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 7 vessels of the Alfa-class.