Rubin Design Bureau

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Submarine

Russia

Rubin Design Bureau

Kilo-class (Project 636.3)

A diesel-electric attack submarine renowned for its quietness, nicknamed the 'Black Hole' by NATO for its acoustic stealth. The improved Project 636.3 variant remains in Russian and export production and is armed with Kalibr cruise missiles.

In service since 1980 · 8 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

300

m depth

7,500

nmi

2,350

crew

Several performance figures for Russia-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Pricing: Estimated export unit cost, disputed public figures

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Russian state channel

Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.

Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)

Fielded & proven

Established · 8 operators

In service since 1980. Status: active · ~70 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Torpedo tubes Number of torpedo tubes (submarines and some surface ships).: 6

Stronger than 53% of submarines

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 73.8 m

Naval

Displacement, speed, endurance and diving depth.

Displacement Standard displacement in tonnes — the ship’s size class. Larger hulls carry more but cost more and are less agile.: 2,350 t
Max speed Top speed in knots (surfaced, for submarines). Higher aids positioning and screening.: 17 kn

Stronger than 32% of submarines
Submerged speed Maximum speed while submerged (submarines). Higher is faster underwater.: 20 kn

Stronger than 29% of submarines
Range Cruising range in nautical miles. Nuclear vessels are effectively unlimited (fuel-wise). Higher means more reach without replenishment.: 7,500 nmi

Stronger than 28% of submarines
Test depth Maximum rated diving depth (submarines). Deeper is harder to detect and engage. Actual crush depth is classified.: 300 m

Stronger than 55% of submarines
Complement Crew size. Fewer eases manning cost; more may indicate a larger, more capable platform.: 52
Propulsion plant Machinery type — nuclear reactor, gas turbine (COGAG), CODAG, diesel-electric, AIP.: Diesel-electric

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 70

Top 2% of submarines
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 8

Top 5% of submarines

Specifications compiled from public Rubin Design Bureau and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

Compare with rivals

See how it stacks up

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View Virginia-class Submarine ↗

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3) used for? +

The Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3) is a submarine typically used for anti armor.

How many countries operate the Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3)? +

The Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3) is operated by 8 countries.

How much does the Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3) cost? +

Rubin Design Bureau Kilo-class (Project 636.3): Estimated export unit cost, disputed public figures. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.