Type 091 vs Type 209

The Type 091 and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes. The Type 091 displaces 4,000 tons — 3.1x the Type 209's 1,285 tons. The Type 091 reaches 12 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Type 091 vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Type 091 carries a crew of 75 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 5,100 tons for the Type 091 vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 300 m for the Type 091. The Type 091 was produced in 5 units vs 68 for the Type 209. The Type 091 was commissioned in 1974, 3 years after the Type 209 (1971).

Chinese nuclear-powered attack submarine, introduced in 1974, displaces 4,000 tons.
Origin 🇨🇳 China
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered attack submarine
Manufacturer Bohai Shipyard
Year introduced 1974
Number built 5 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 4,000 tons
Maximum speed 12.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 98.0 m
Beam 10.6 m
Crew 75
Max depth 300 m
Propulsion 1 x 48 megawatt nuclear reactor
Armament
  • 6 × 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes
  • Yu-3 torpedo
  • Yu-6 torpedo
  • YJ-82 anti-ship cruise missile
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 Type 091-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 091-class has greater displacement at 4,000 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Type 091-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 091-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Type 091-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 091-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Type 209-class has a range of 11,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Type 091-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 091-class is longer at 98.0 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Type 091-class and Type 209-class have?
The Type 091-class has a larger crew complement of 75 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Type 091-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Type 091-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Type 091-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 5 vessels of the Type 091-class.