Type 205 vs Type 209

Overview

The Type 205 and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes.

The Type 209 displaces 1,285 tons — 3.1x the Type 205's 419 tons. The Type 205 reaches 10 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 3,950 nautical miles for the Type 205 vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Type 205 carries a crew of 22 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 455 tons for the Type 205 vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 100 m for the Type 205.

The Type 205 was produced in 13 units vs 68 for the Type 209. The Type 205 was commissioned in 1962, 9 years before the Type 209 (1971).

German diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1962, displaced 419 tons.
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric submarines
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke
Year introduced 1962
Number built 13 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 419 tons
Maximum speed 10.0 knots
Range 3,950 nm at 4 knots
Length 44.3 m
Beam 4.6 m
Crew 22
Max depth 100 m
Propulsion 2 × 440 kW (590 hp) Mercedes-Benz 4-stroke V12 diesel engines each coupled to a BBC generator; 1 × 1,100 kW (1,500 hp) SSW electric motor
Armament
  • 8 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • Torpedoes and naval mines
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 205-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has greater displacement at 1,285 tons compared to the Type 205-class's 419 tons.
Which is faster, the Type 205-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class is faster with a maximum speed of 11 knots compared to the Type 205-class's 10 knots.
Which has longer range, the Type 205-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has a longer range at 11,000 nautical miles compared to the Type 205-class's 3,950 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Type 205-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class is longer at 64.4 meters compared to the Type 205-class's 44.3 meters.
How many crew members do the Type 205-class and Type 209-class have?
The Type 209-class has a larger crew complement of 36 compared to the Type 205-class's 22 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Type 205-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Type 205-class's 100 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Type 205-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 13 vessels of the Type 205-class.