Sōryū vs Type 209

The Sōryū and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes. The Sōryū displaces 2,900 tons — 2.3x the Type 209's 1,285 tons. The Sōryū reaches 13 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 6,100 nautical miles for the Sōryū vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Sōryū carries a crew of 65 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 4,200 tons for the Sōryū vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Sōryū was produced in 12 units vs 68 for the Type 209. Cost per hull is $540M for the Sōryū vs $285M for the Type 209. The Sōryū was commissioned in 2009, 38 years after the Type 209 (1971).

Japanese attack submarine, introduced in 2009, displaces 2,900 tons.
Origin 🇯🇵 Japan
Category Submarine
Type Attack submarine
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Year introduced 2009
Number built 12 units
Estimated unit price $540 million
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 2,900 tons
Maximum speed 13.0 knots
Range 6,100 nm at 6 knots
Length 84.0 m
Beam 9.1 m
Crew 65
Max depth NA
Propulsion 1-shaft 2× Kawasaki 12V 25/25 SB-type diesel engines, 4× Kawasaki Kockums V4-275R Stirling engines (3,900 hp surfaced, 8,000 hp submerged)
Armament
  • 6 × HU-606 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Type 89 torpedo
  • Harpoon (missile)
  • 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 Sōryū-class or Type 209-class?
The Sōryū-class has greater displacement at 2,900 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Sōryū-class or Type 209-class?
The Sōryū-class is faster with a maximum speed of 13 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Sōryū-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has a longer range at 11,000 nautical miles compared to the Sōryū-class's 6,100 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Sōryū-class or Type 209-class?
The Sōryū-class is longer at 84.0 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Sōryū-class and Type 209-class have?
The Sōryū-class has a larger crew complement of 65 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Sōryū-class or Type 209-class?
The Sōryū-class is more expensive at approximately $540 million per unit compared to the Type 209-class at $285 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Sōryū-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 12 vessels of the Sōryū-class.