Swiftsure vs Whiskey

The Swiftsure and the Whiskey are both Submarine classes. The Swiftsure displaces 4,400 tons — 4.2x the Whiskey's 1,050 tons. The Swiftsure reaches 20 knots vs 18 knots for the Whiskey. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Swiftsure vs 8,580 for the Whiskey. The Swiftsure carries a crew of 116 vs 52 for the Whiskey. Submerged displacement is 4,900 tons for the Swiftsure vs 1,340 tons for the Whiskey. The Swiftsure can dive to 300 m compared to 200 m for the Whiskey. The Swiftsure was produced in 6 units vs 236 for the Whiskey. The Swiftsure was commissioned in 1973, 22 years after the Whiskey (1951).

British nuclear-powered submarine, 4,400 tons displacement, propelled by shrouded pump-jet propulsors.
Profile of Swiftsure
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
Ex-USSR submarine, introduced in 1951, displaced 1,050 tons, and had a crew of 52 sailors.
Profile of Whiskey
Origin 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Submarine
Type Diesel–electric attack submarine
Manufacturer Lazurit Design Bureau
Year introduced 1951
Number built 236 units
Estimated unit price NA
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 1,050 tons
Maximum speed 18.0 knots
Range 8,580 nm at 10 knots
Length 76.0 m
Beam 6.5 m
Crew 52
Max depth 200 m
Propulsion Two-shaft diesel–electric: 2 × 2,000 bhp (1,500 kW) diesel engines, 2 × 1,350 hp (1,010 kW) main electric motors, 2 × 50 hp (37 kW) electric creep motors
Armament
  • 6 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes (4 bow + 2 stern)
  • 12 × torpedoes or 22 × mines
  • 1 × single-mounted 25 mm (1.0 in) AA gun
  • 2 × single-mounted 57 mm (2.2 in) AA gun

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Swiftsure-class or Whiskey-class?
The Swiftsure-class has greater displacement at 4,400 tons compared to the Whiskey-class's 1,050 tons.
Which is faster, the Swiftsure-class or Whiskey-class?
The Swiftsure-class is faster with a maximum speed of 20 knots compared to the Whiskey-class's 18 knots.
Which has longer range, the Swiftsure-class or Whiskey-class?
The Swiftsure-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Whiskey-class has a range of 8,580 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Swiftsure-class or Whiskey-class?
The Swiftsure-class is longer at 82.9 meters compared to the Whiskey-class's 76.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Swiftsure-class and Whiskey-class have?
The Swiftsure-class has a larger crew complement of 116 compared to the Whiskey-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Swiftsure-class or Whiskey-class?
The Swiftsure-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Whiskey-class's 200 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Swiftsure-class or Whiskey-class?
The Whiskey-class has been built in greater numbers with 236 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Swiftsure-class.