Kilo class submarine

The Kilo class is the NATO reporting name for a naval diesel-electric submarine that is made in Russia. The original version of the vessels were designated Project 877 Paltus (Turbot) in Russia. There is also a more advanced version, designated as Improved Kilo in the west, and Project 636 Varshavyanka in Russia.

The Kilo class was to have been succeeded by the Lada class. In November 2011 the Russian Navy announced that the Lada class will not enter service because trials with the lead boat of the new class, Sankt Peterburg (B-585) had shown major deficiencies. Construction of two further boats has been suspended.^[1]

The boats are mainly intended for anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations in relatively shallow waters. Original Project 877 boats are equipped with Rubikon MGK-400 sonar system (with NATO reporting name Shark Gill), which includes a mine detection and avoidance sonar MG-519 Arfa (with NATO reporting name Mouse Roar). Newer Project 636 boats are equipped with improved MGK-400EM, with MG-519 Afra also upgraded to MG-519EM. The improved sonar systems have reduced the number of operators needed by sharing the same console via automation.

Anechoic tiles are fitted on casings and fins to absorb the sonar sound waves of active sonar, which results in a reduction and distortion of the return signal.^[2] These tiles also help attenuate sounds that are emitted from the submarine, thus reducing the range by which the sub may be detected by passive sonar.^[3]

Operators

The first submarine entered service in the Soviet Navy in 1980, and the class remains in use with the Russian Navy. 17 vessels are believed to still be in active service with the Russian Navy, while 7 vessels are thought to be in reserve.^[4] So far, 33 vessels have been exported to several countries:

•  Algeria – 2 Original Kilo, 2 Improved Kilo to be commissioned between 2009–2010.^[5]
•  People's Republic of China – 2 Original Kilo, 10 Improved Kilo.^[6][7][8]
•  India – designated as the Sindhughosh class; 10 active.^[9][10]
•  Poland – 1 Kilo ORP Orzeł.^[11]
•  Iran – 3 Kilo.^[12]
•  Romania – 1 Kilo – (Delfinul II).^[13]
•  Russia – 17 Kilo in active service (B-445; B-459 Vladikavkaz; B-464 Ust'-Kamchatsk; B-471 Magnitogorsk; B-494 Ust'-Bolsheretsk; B-800 Kaluga; B-871 Alrosa; B-808 Yaroslavl'; B-177 Lipetsk; B-806; B-340; B-190; B-227; B-260 Chita; B-345; B-394; B-402 Vologda).;^[14] 6 Improved Kilo ordered^[15]
•  Vietnam – 6 Improved Kilo (Kilo-636 KMV) on order, contract signed in 2010, production of one per year.^[16]

Possible operators

•  Egypt – likely to buy 4 Project 636 Kilo diesel subs for about $1.2 bln^[17]
•  Venezuela – is interested in buying 3 Project 636 Kilo class submarines^[18]

Project 877 units

Project 636 units

Specifications

There are several variants of the Kilo class. The information below is the smallest and largest number from the available information for all three variants of the ship.^[29]

• 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 (4,400 kW)
• Maximum depth: 300 meters (240–250 meters operational)
• Endurance
  • 400 nautical miles (700 km) at 3 knots (6 km/h) submerged
  • 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) at 7 knots (13 km/h) 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^[30] Surface-to-air missiles (export submarines may not be equipped with air defense weapons)
  • Six 533 mm torpedo tubes with 18 53-65 ASuW or TEST 71/76 ASW torpedoes or VA-111 Shkval supercavitating "underwater missiles", or 24 DM-1 mines,
  • Club S anti-ship missiles (only on some export versions)
• Crew: 52
• Price per unit is US$200–250 million (China paid approx. US$1.5-2 billion for 8 Project 636 Kilo class submarines)

Gallery

See also

• INS Sindhurakshak – an Indian submarine of the Kilo class
• Russian submarine Losharik
• Patrick Robinson – author of the novels Nimitz Class and Kilo Class; both describe hypothetical situations involving Kilo class submarines, though lacking credible detail. The Kilo is portrayed in many of Robinson's other novels, where the ships' stealth may be overemphasized.
• List of ships of Algeria

References

• "Kilo class – Project 636". GlobalSecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/877.htm. Retrieved 24 February 2007. 
• "China Defence Today – Kilo Class Diesel-Electric Submarine". SinoDefence.com. http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/sub/kilo.asp. Retrieved 24 February 2007. 
• "Серия 877 Варшавянка". Encyclopedia of Ships (Russian language). http://ship.bsu.by/main.asp?id=101334. Retrieved 24 February 2007. 
• "Rubin". Rubin. http://www.ckb-rubin.ru/. Retrieved 24 February 2007. 
• "Kilo Class "Alrosa" Photoalbum: 100 Photos". Russian Black Sea Fleet. http://www.alrosa.net/photos/. Retrieved 5 October 2007.