Swiftsure vs Type 209

Overview

The Swiftsure and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes.

The Swiftsure displaces 4,400 tons — 3.4x the Type 209's 1,285 tons. The Swiftsure reaches 20 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Swiftsure vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Swiftsure carries a crew of 116 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 4,900 tons for the Swiftsure vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 300 m for the Swiftsure.

The Swiftsure was produced in 6 units vs 68 for the Type 209. The Swiftsure was commissioned in 1973, 2 years after the Type 209 (1971).

British nuclear-powered submarine, 4,400 tons displacement, propelled by shrouded pump-jet propulsors.
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
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 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
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 Swiftsure-class or Type 209-class?
The Swiftsure-class has greater displacement at 4,400 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Swiftsure-class or Type 209-class?
The Swiftsure-class is faster with a maximum speed of 20 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Swiftsure-class or Type 209-class?
The Swiftsure-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Type 209-class has a range of 11,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Swiftsure-class or Type 209-class?
The Swiftsure-class is longer at 82.9 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Swiftsure-class and Type 209-class have?
The Swiftsure-class has a larger crew complement of 116 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Swiftsure-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Swiftsure-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Swiftsure-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Swiftsure-class.