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Improved Kilo vs Type 039A

Type 039A submarine side profile drawing
🇨🇳 Type 039A
Change comparison vs
Specifications
Improved Kilo Type 039A
Origin 🇷🇺 Russia 🇨🇳 China
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Attack submarine Diesel-electric submarine
Manufacturer Rubin Design Bureau Wuchang Shipbuilding
Year introduced 1980 2006
Number built 75 units 21 units
Estimated unit price $200 million NA
Displacement 2,325 tons NA
Maximum speed 12.0 knots 12.0 knots
Range 7,500 nm at 7 knots 12,000 nm
Length 72.6 m 77.6 m
Beam 9.9 m 8.4 m
Crew 52 36
Max depth 300 m 250 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Improved Kilo Type 039A
Armament
  • 6 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • 18 torpedoes
  • 4 Kalibr/Club land-attack cruise missile, anti-ship missile and anti-submarine missile (some versions)
  • 24 mines
  • 8 9K34 Strela-3 (SA-N-8 Gremlin) or 8 9K310 Igla-1 (SA-N-10 Gimlet) surface-to-air missiles
  • 6 x 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • Yu-3, Yu-4, Yu-6 torpedoes
  • YJ-82 or YJ-18 anti-ship missiles
  • Long-range land-attack cruise missiles
  • Naval mines
Propulsion Diesel-electric propulsion; 2 × 1000 kW diesel generators; 1 × 5,500–6,800 shp (4,100–5,100 kW) propulsion motor; 1 × fixed-pitch 6-bladed or 7-bladed propeller Diesel-electric, 1 shaft, AIP (Stirling engine)

Overview

The Improved Kilo and the Type 039A are both Submarine classes.

The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 12 knots for the Type 039A. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 12,000 for the Type 039A. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 36 for the Type 039A. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 3,600 tons for the Type 039A. The Improved Kilo can dive to 300 m compared to 250 m for the Type 039A.

The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 21 for the Type 039A. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 26 years before the Type 039A (2006).

Related Comparisons
Type 039A vs Kilo Improved Kilo vs Kilo Improved Kilo vs Type 209 Improved Kilo vs Los Angeles Improved Kilo vs Victor III Improved Kilo vs Sang-O

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 039A-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has greater displacement at 2,325 tons compared to the Type 039A-class's 0 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 039A-class?
The Type 039A-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 039A-class?
The Type 039A-class has a longer range at 12,000 nautical miles compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 7,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 039A-class?
The Type 039A-class is longer at 77.6 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Type 039A-class have?
The Improved Kilo-class has a larger crew complement of 52 compared to the Type 039A-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 039A-class?
The Improved Kilo-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Type 039A-class's 250 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 039A-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 21 vessels of the Type 039A-class.