Kilo-class submarine
Kilo class is the NATO reporting name for a type of military diesel-electric submarines that are made in Russia. The original version of these vessels is known in Russia as Project 877 Paltus. There is also a more advanced version, which is known in the west as Improved Kilo and in Russia as Project 636.
The boats are mainly intended for anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations in relatively shallow waters. Kilo class submarines are capable of operating very quietly. Project 636 is thought to be one of the quietest submarine classes in the world.
Operators
The first boat entered service in the Soviet Navy in 1982, and submarines of these types are still in use with the Russian navy. As of early 2000, 14 vessels were believed to be in active service and 7 vessels were thought to be in reserve. An additional 21 vessels have been exported to various countries:
- Algeria (2 Kilo; Rajs Hadi Mubarek and El Hadi Slimane, operational since 1987, refitted in 1990)
- People's Republic of China (2 Kilo, 2 Improved Kilo, and 8 further Improved Kilo vessels have been ordered)
- India (10 Kilo)
- Iran (3 Kilo)
- Poland (1 Kilo - The ORP Orzel)
- Romania (1 Kilo, this vessel is apparently inoperable [1])
- Bulgaria (2 Kilo, one in operational status)
Specifications
There are several variants of the Kilo class, and these specifications may not apply to all variants. The figures given below should be regarded as rough estimates.
- Displacement:
- 2,300-2,350 tons surfaced
- 3,000-4,000 tons submerged
- Dimensions:
- Length: 70-74 meters
- Beam: 9.9 meters
- Draft: 6.2-6.5 meters
- Maximum speed
- 10-12 knots surfaced
- 17-25 knots submerged
- Propulsion: Diesel-electric 5,900 shp
- Maximum depth: 300 meters (240-250 meters operational)
- Endurance
- 400 miles at 3 knots submerged
- 6,000 miles at 7 knots snorkeling (7,500 miles for the Improved Kilo class)
- 45 days sea endurance
- Armament
- Air defence: 8 SA-N-8 Gremlin or SA-N-10 Gimlet Surface-to-air missiles (export submarines may not be equipped with air defense weapons)
- Torpedoes: 18 torpedoes or 24 mines, six 533mm torpedo tubes
See also
- INS Sindhurakshak - an Indian submarine of the Kilo class
- Patrick Robinson - author of the novels Nimitz Class and Kilo Class, both of which describe the features of the Kilo class submarine
- List of ships of Algeria