GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily

Swiftsure vs Type 209

Swiftsure vs Type 209 at a glance — displacement 4,400 vs 1,285 tons, length 82 vs 64 m, speed 20 vs 11 knots, crew 116 vs 36.

Swiftsure submarine side profile drawing
🇬🇧 Swiftsure
Specifications
Swiftsure Type 209
Origin 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered attack submarine Diesel-electric attack submarine
Manufacturer Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. (VSEL) Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Year introduced 1973 1971
Number built 6 units 68 units
Estimated unit price NA $285 million
Displacement 4,400 tons 1,285 tons
Maximum speed 20.0 knots 11.0 knots
Range Unlimited 11,000 nm at 10 knots
Length 82.9 m 64.4 m
Beam 9.8 m 6.5 m
Crew 116 36
Max depth 300 m 500 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Swiftsure Type 209
Armament
  • 5 x 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Spearfish torpedoes
  • RN Sub Harpoon missiles
  • Tomahawk missiles
  • 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
Propulsion Nuclear Reactor, shrouded pump-jet propulsors Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 6,100 shp (4,500 kW)
Change comparison vs

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.