Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3) vs ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Type 209
Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3) and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Type 209 are both submarine, compared here on public specifications. The ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Type 209 leads on range (11,000 vs 7,500 nmi). Several Russia-origin figures here are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification, so treat this comparison as directional.
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Full data
Full spec sheet
 Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3)
Wins 2/6 |  ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Type 209
Wins 4/6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Firepower | ||
| Torpedo tubes | 6 | 8 ✓ |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 73.8 m | 61.2 m |
| Naval | ||
| Displacement (t) | 2,350 t | 1,450 t |
| Max speed (kn) | 17 kn | N/A |
| Submerged speed (kn) | 20 kn | 22 kn ✓ |
| Range (nmi) | 7,500 nmi | 11,000 nmi ✓ |
| Test depth (m) | 300 m ✓ | 250 m |
| Complement | 52 | 36 |
| Program | ||
| Units built | 70 ✓ | 61 |
| Operator countries | 8 | 13 ✓ |
Frequently asked questions
Which has the higher range? +
The ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Type 209 has the higher range at 11,000 nmi.
Which has the higher test depth? +
The Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3) has the higher test depth at 300 m.
Which has the higher torpedo tubes? +
The ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Type 209 has the higher torpedo tubes at 8.
Which has the higher submerged speed? +
The ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Type 209 has the higher submerged speed at 22 kn.
Which has the higher units built? +
The Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3) has the higher units built at 70.
Which has the higher operator countries? +
The ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Type 209 has the higher operator countries at 13.
Is the Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3) better than the ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Type 209? +
On the public specs we track, the ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Type 209 leads on 4 of 6 headline metrics, see the full spec sheet for the metric-by-metric breakdown.
Where does this comparison data come from? +
Every figure in the table is sourced from public manufacturer pages, defense-ministry releases and reference publications, and is verifiable on each system's spec page. WeaponSpecs does not accept vendor placement.
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