KILO SUBMARINE

Non-nuclear submarine of KILO class (636 project)

  The submarine of 636 project is a striking example of implementation and development of one of the most successful series

of submarines in non-nuclear submarine shipbuilding – project 877 EKM of KILO class.

The most important features of these submarines are:

low noise; reasonable degree of automation of control procedures of propulsion facilities, ship's systems and weapon

application; powerful missile-torpedo and mine armament; good conditions of habitability for personnel; easy maintenance.

Since 1986 submarines of KILO class have been exported. At the same time since the middle of the nineties construction was started of 636 project submarines of the same class but with more powerful propulsion plant, the submarine has less noise and is equipped with control system for multi-purpose electric remote-controlled torpedoes.

The joint work for modernization of submarines of 877 EKM project, in which CDB ME ”Rubin”, RPA “AVRORA”, FSUE RI “ELECTROPRIBOR”, DB “NOVATOR” and RPA “AGAT” took an active part, began in 1998. The result of this work was a successful solution of the task of creation and testing in ship's conditions a new anti-ship missile-torpedo complex “CLUB-S” with a new computerized information system for control of armament and a new inertial navigation system. After successful completion of the trials in 2000 the submarines were handed over to the Customer.

During the period of up to 2002 FSUE “Admiralty Shipyards” constructed and delivered to the Customer 13 submarines of projects 877 EKM and 636. This is more than a half of the total quantity of submarines of this class constructed in our country. During the same period 4 submarines were refitted in the course of medium repair.

Adding of anti-ship cruise missile complex to submarine's arsenal considerably extended combat resources of submarines of KILO class and raised their competitiveness on the world market of ХХI century. Great experience, gained by the shipyard's specialists and involved enterprises, has been profitably employed during

Entered service 1982Crew 52 men

Diving depth (maximum) 300 mSea endurance 45 days

Range 7.500 n miles snorkelling at 7 knots with diesel overload – 400 submerged at 3 knotsDimensions and displacement

Length 73.8 mBeam 9.9 m

Draught 6.6 mSurfaced displacement 2 325 tons

Submerged displacement 3200 tonsPropulsion and speed

Surfaced speed 10 knotsSubmerged speed 21 knots

Diesel engines 2 x 3 650 hpElectric motors 1 x 5 900 hp

ArmamentMissiles 8 x SA-N-8 'Gremlin' or SA-N-10 'Gimlet' SAM missiles

Torpedoes 6 x 533-mm torpedo tubes for 18 torpedoes and anti-ship missilesOther or 24 mines

construction of new submarines of this class and submarines of the forth generation. At present construction of submarine series of KILO class of project 636 equipped with the above-named complexes is in progress. Besides, submarines of this series are fitted out with a new storage battery with increased service life and a new system of reception of radio-information from coast in underwater condition.

Kilo class

Patrol submarine

The Kilo class diesel-electric patrol submarine has achieved respectable export sales

   The Project 877 or Vashavyanka diesel-electric submarine, better known in the West as the Kilo class, was designed in the early 1970s for the anti-submarine and anti-ship defence of Soviet naval bases, coastal installations and sea lanes, and also for the patrol and surveillance tasks. First delivered from the shipyard at Komsomolsk in eastern Siberia, but then built in the western USSR at Nizhny Novgorod ant the Admiralty Yard in Leningrad (now St Petersburg), the boat is of the medium-endurance type and the first example was launched in 1979 for completion in 1982.

   Some 24 Kilos were built for the Soviet navy, and by the first part of the 21st century the Russian navy had deleted 15 of these, leaving it with nine boats with the Northern and Pacific Fleets (three and four respectively), and single boats with the Baltic and Black Sea Fleets,the latter's boat having been modified with pumpjet propulsion.

In design the Kilo class is a development of the Tango class with an improved hull form. Even so, the boat can be considered only basic by comparison with contemporary Western submarines.

The Soviets procured the submarine in four variants: the Project 877 baseline model, Project 877K with improved fire-control, Project 877M with provision for wire-guided torpedoes from two tubes, and the slightly longer Project 4B with

 

Entered service 1982Crew 52 men

Diving depth (maximum) 300 mSea endurance 45 days

Dimensions and displacementLength 73.8 mBeam 9.9 m

Draught 6.6 mSurfaced displacement 2 325 tons

Submerged displacement 3 076 tonsPropulsion and speed

Surfaced speed 10 knotsSubmerged speed 17 knots

Diesel engines 2 x 3 650 hpElectric motors 1 x 5 900 hp

Armament

Missiles8 x SA-N-8 'Gremlin' or SA-N-10 'Gimlet' SAM

missiles

Torpedoes6 x 533-mm torpedo

tubes for 18 torpedoesOther or 24 mines

uprated diesels, an electric motor turning more slowly for less noise, and an automated data system to provide fire-control data for two simultaneous interceptions. Boats have been exported to Algeria (two), China (12), India (10), Iran (three), Poland (one) and Romania (one), some of them Type 636 submarines with improved propulsion and fire-control systems.

SSK Improved Kilo Class (Type 636) Attack Submarine, Russia

The Russian Kilo Class submarine first entered service in the early 1980s. It was designed by the Rubin Central Maritime Design Bureau, St Petersburg. Subsequent developments have led to the current production versions, the Type 877EKM and the Type 636. A successor, the Lada (Project 677) was launched in November 2004. Rubin is developing an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system which could be available for retrofit to the other versions. The Kilo submarine was originally built at the Komsomolsk shipyard but is now constructed at the Admiralty Shipyard in St Petersburg. China has two Type 636 submarines, the second of which joined the Chinese fleet in January 1999. Type 636 is designed for anti-submarine (ASW) and anti-surface ship (ASuW) warfare and also for general reconnaissance and patrol missions. The Type 636 submarine is considered to be to be one of the quietest diesel submarines in the world. It is said to be capable of detecting an enemy submarine at a range three to four times greater than it can be detected itself.

DESIGN The submarine consists of six watertight compartments separated by transverse bulkheads in a pressurised double-hull. This design and the submarine's good reserve buoyancy lead to increased survivability if the submarine is holed, even with one compartment and two adjacent ballast tanks flooded. The foreplanes are positioned on the upper hull in front of the fin or sail. The design is a development of the 877EKM Kilo class, with extended hull. The power of the diesel generators has been increased and the main propulsion shaft speed has been reduced to provide a substantial reduction in the acoustic signature of the submarine. Maximum diving depth is 300m. Speed is 11 knots when surfaced and more than 20 knots when submerged. Range is 7,500 miles when snorkelling at 7 knots and 400 miles when submerged at 3 knots.

COMMAND SYSTEM

The submarine is equipped with a multi-purpose combat and command system which provides information for effective submarine control and torpedo firing. The system's high-speed computer can process information from the surveillance equipment and display it on the screen; determine submerged and surface target data and calculate firing parameters; provide automatic fire control; and provide information and recommendations on manoeuvres and deployment of weapons.

MISSILES The submarine has a launcher for eight Strela-3 or Igla surface-to-air missiles. These missiles are manufactured by the Fakel Design Bureau, Kaliningrad. Strela- 3 (NATO Designation SA-N-8 Gremlin) has a cooled infrared seeker and 2kg warhead. Maximum range is 6km. Igla (NATO designation SA-N-10 Gimlet) is also infrared-guided but heavier, with a maximum range of 5km and speed of Mach 1.65. The vessels can be fitted with the Novator Club-S (SS-N-27) cruise missile system which fires the 3M-54E1 anti-ship missile. Range is 220km with 450kg high explosive warhead.

TORPEDOES The submarine is equipped with six 533mm forward torpedo tubes situated in the nose of the submarine and carries 18 torpedoes with six in the torpedo tubes and twelve stored on the racks. Alternatively the torpedo tubes can deploy 24 mines. Two torpedo tubes are designed for firing remote-controlled torpedoes with a very high accuracy. The computer-controlled torpedo system is provided with a quick-loading device. The first salvo is fired within two minutes and the second within five minutes.

SENSORS

Type 636 is fitted with the MGK-400EM digital sonar. This provides: detection of submarine and surface ship targets in sonar listening mode; echo-ranging in a ±30° sector of the target relative bearing; telephone and telegraph communication

in both long and short range modes; detection of underwater sound signals and determination of the signal bearing. The submarine’s radar works in periscope and surface modes and provides information on the underwater and air situation, radar identification, and navigational safety.

COUNTERMEASURES

Countermeasures include electronic support measures (ESM), radar warning receiver and direction-finder.

PROPULSION

The submarine's propulsion system consists of two diesel generators, a main propulsion motor, a fuel-economic motor and a single shaft driving a seven-blade fixed-pitch propeller. There are two additional stand-by motors for running in shallow waters, at mooring and in cases of emergency. Two 120-cell storage batteries are installed in the first and third compartments of the submarine. The main machinery is equipped with an automatic control system.

Club S Naval Cruise Missile

Novator experimental machine design bureau (Russia)

Club S submarine launched cruise missile family, includes the 3M-54E1 anti-ship missile and 3M-14E land attack versions, capable of striking land and naval targets from a range of 275km. The missile can be launched from standard torpedo tubes, from depth of 35 – 40 m' (130 feet), cruise autonomously along a selected flight trajectory and, at a speed of 240 m/sec, at an altitude of 20 meters (70 feet), and when approaching the target, drops to a sea skimming level of 5 – 10 meters (20 - 30 feet). The missile is equipped with a 400kg (880 pound) warhead. One of the key elements in the effectiveness of the new Club S is its active radar seeker, the Args 14e designed by Radar MMS of St. Petersburg. This 40 kg system radar system is employed in the terminal phase, less than 20km ahead of the target, to provide target detection, selection and guidance. The seeker is designed for high resistance to ECM, and is designed to operate as a single missile or in salvos firing. Russia is promoting the Amur-950 (Lada class) diesel electric submarine, armed with the Club-S cruise missile system capable of hitting underwater, surface and land targets.

Pump Jet PropulsorsThe Russians appreciate the design advantages of pump jet propulsors. The same math and physics work in both the former east as well as the west. Pump jets are indeed heavier, but so much quieter. The big advantage pump jets offer is providing the submarine with a higher tactical 'silent speed'. A conventional propeller submarine may have a silent speed of 7 to 9 knots, the pump jet submarine much higher - speculating in the 'teen' speeds or more. On the new American Seawolf,the British Trafalgar and Swifture SSN's - the reactor power plant cooling circulation pumps, a potential source of radiated noise can be switched off. Water sea suction intakes in the leading edges of the horizontal sternplanes on the SSN's then can provide cooling circulation by the forward motion of the vessel through the water.Pump jets are very impractical on diesel powered submarines . The added weight and cost is worthless if the batteries (or even present day fuel cells) of a conventional powered submarine cannot sustain those higher silent speeds a pump jet could exploit for very long . Nuclear power you can sustain those speeds for literally years. This is why you see pump jets only on nuclear powered combatants,and if ever on diesel submarines at all,it is for experimental tests of short duration runs only. Hence the Kilo test boat - 877V project design. All pump jet submarines also have little reversing backing power astern too. Usually tugs for docking are manditory. But the operational advantages of the lamp shade on the stern seem to out weigh this. The new generation Russian ballistic missile submarines of the Borei class (officially designated Project 935). Builders Models of these submarines show a Russian pump jet design. These new submarines have been named: Yury Dolgoruky,Alexander Nevsky,and Vladimir Monomakh. The Russian planned contingent is for 10 strategic submarines expected to be commissioned within the next decade (5 will be project 935, and 5 will be a more advanced project 955 in service by 2015.

Export Behavior

The Soviet and later Russian nuclear submarine program involved a variety of industrial enterprises.   It encompassed an expansive network of research, design, and production centers, including the world's largest shipbuilding complex, known today as the Russian State Center for Atomic Shipbuilding (GRTsAS) in Severodvinsk, made up of two shipyards: the Northern Machine-Building Enterprise (more commonly referred to as Sevmash) and the Zvezdochka State Machine-Building Enterprise. The Severodvinsk shipyards are involved in the design, construction, testing, repair, and decommissioning of nuclear-powered ships.  Two nuclear-powered submarines remain under construction at the Amurskiy Zavod shipyard in Komsomolsk-na-Amure, in the Russian Far East, as well, while additional yards are involved in nuclear submarine dismantlement (for more information on nuclear-powered submarine dismantlement, please see Russia: Naval Nuclear Reactors, in the NTI Nuclear and Missile Database, created by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies.) To date, neither Russia nor the Soviet Union before it have sold nuclear submarines to foreign parties.  However, technology transfer from the Soviet Union assisted the Chinese in the construction of their first nuclear boat in 1966, which copied but was not identical to Soviet Project 629 (NATO name Golf) class submarines.  In addition, from 1988 to 1991 the Soviet Union leased a Project 670 Skat (NATO name Charlie I) class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine, the K-43 (renamed Chakra while in Indian service), although the reactors were operated by a Soviet crew and the vessel was returned to the Soviet Union.[1] Since the late 1990s, there have been reports that Russia and India have been discussing the possible lease of a Project 971 Shchuka B (NATO name Akula II) submarine, most likely one of the vessels currently under construction at the Amurskiy shipyard.[2] In February 2005, Russia's newspaper Voyenno-promyshlennyy kuryer (Military-Industrial Courier) reported that Boris Aleshin, head of Russia's Federal Industry Agency, told Amurskiy Zavod to resume work on the boats for the Indian Navy.[3] Yet another indication of Russian plans is the scheduled September 2005 opening of a training center in Sosnovyy Bor, slated to train about 300 Indian naval officers.  Sosnovyy Bor, in the Leningrad region, is the location of the Russian Navy Training Center, which has working nuclear submarine reactors; the new training center building is adjacent to the Russian Navy training center, and likely has simulators, not reactors, inside.[4] The Russian Navy's Shchuka B submarines are equipped with 28 cruise missiles, each armed with nuclear or conventional warheads with a striking range of 3,000 km. However, the Indian version is expected to be armed with the 300-km Klub missiles already installed on the Project 1135 (NATO name Krivak) class frigates and Project 877 Varshavyanka (NATO name Kilo) class diesel submarines Russia has built for India. Russia, like the Soviet Union before it, has a large diesel submarine production program and actively exports these boats. The height of Soviet submarine exports came between 1960 and 1980, when some 90 diesel boats were exported around the world.  The most-exported submarine was the Project 613 (NATO name Whiskey) class boat: 61 submarines of this class were exported to eight countries.  In the early 1970s, the Soviets also exported large numbers of Project 633 (Romeo) class submarines, which became the mainstay of the Chinese fleet.  By the mid-1970s, the Soviet Union had begun exporting Project 641 (Foxtrot) class submarines.  Finally, in the mid-1980s, it started selling the Project 877 Varshavyanka (NATO name Kilo) and its later variant Project 636 class submarines, which are the mainstay of its current export program.  Contracts for 27 Varshavyankas have been concluded to date, including three to Iran in the early 1990s, as well as boats sold to India, China, Poland, Romania, and Algeria. China has emerged as a critical importer of Russian-made naval equipment. China has already purchased four Varshavyankas from Russia, including two improved Project 636 models. There have also been suggestions that Russians have continued to have a role in assisting China in its construction of nuclear-powered submarines.  Further, it is possible that Russia might decide to export nuclear submarines to China in the future, although no such negotiations appear to have begun.  In addition to China, India is a key export market for Russian submarines.  Besides the possible lease of a nuclear-powered submarine (mentioned above), India has imported eight Varshavyankas.  Further, Russia is reportedly part of a joint bid with Germany's HDW for a sale of submarines and submarine construction technology to India (for more information, see the discussion under the French Exports file).  The Russian participation likely focuses on the submarines' weapon systems (Russia has been jointly developing the BrahMos missile with India.  For more information on BrahMos, please see Russia: Missile Exports To India Developments, in the NTI Nuclear and Missile Database, created by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies.) The chief promoter of Russian submarine exports is the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering in St. Petersburg, which designed three generations of Russian nuclear- and diesel-powered submarines, including all of Russia's diesel submarines for export.   Rubin showcases these vessels at international defense exhibitions.  The boats are constructed at the Admiralteyskiye Verfi (Admiralty Shipyards) in St. Petersburg, the Krasnoye Sormovo Shipyard in Nizhniy Novgorod, and Amurskiy Shipyard.  The Malakhit (or Malachite) Central Marine-Engineering Design Bureau, in St. Petersburg, has also been a major designer of submarines, submarine power plants (both nuclear and diesel), and submarine-launched weaponry since its formation in 1948.  More recently, it has turned to the design and production of mini-submarines, for military and civilian uses.[5]

Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering

Since the Rubin design bureau was founded in 1901, it has designed more than 20 submarine classes, totaling approximately 950 submarines, of which 138 were nuclear.[6,7] With the waning demand and resources for nuclear submarine production, the state-controlled Rubin design bureau has focused its efforts on establishing commercial exports of fourth generation Project 667 Amur-class and Varshavyanka-class diesel submarines.[8] Diesel submarines built from Rubin designs serve in 14 navies around the world.  The first exports of Project 877E (Varshavyanka) class submarines were delivered to the Polish and Indian navies in April 1986.

Project 877EKM is a modification of 877E, including new cruise missile, inertial navigation, and automated information and control systems. Sindhushastra, the lead boat of Project 877EKM and outfitted with the Klub-S cruise missile (NATO name

Varshavyanka-(Kilo)class submarine for the Indian Navy,Zvezdochka Shipyard, Severodvinsk. Source: Zvezdochka Website,  http://www.star.ru

SS-NX-27 Alfa) complex, was built at Admiralty Shipyards and handed over to India in 2000.  Russia is also refitting earlier Project 877E boats with the Klub S missile system; India, for instance, has had some five Varshavyankas refit with the Klub-S system.[9] The Amur class is the export version of the Project 667 (Lada) class submarine. An extremely quiet boat, the Amur can be outfitted with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems. The Amur is smaller than the Varshavyanka, designed for operation in the littoral; it is expected to cost significantly less than the Varshavyanka boats.[10]  The first of class, Sankt Peterburg, a Project 667 boat for the Russian Navy, was launched by Admiralty Shipyards in October 2004.  A second boat, an Amur 1650 for export, is awaiting funds for its completion at the Admiralty Shipyards.[11] No buyer has yet been identified for this vessel. Although the Chinese Navy has expressed its interest in AIP boats, no AIP-equipped submarines have yet been exported by Russia.[12]

Malakhit Central Marine-Engineering Design Bureau

The Malakhit design bureau was founded in 1948, and takes credit for designing the Soviet Union's first nuclear-powered submarine (the Project 627, NATO name November, class SSN), which was constructed at Sevmash.  Malakhit worked in close cooperation with the Kurchatov Institute, and designers at Malakhit were the first Russians to find a way to outfit nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles.[6] Malakhit also designed the world's first nuclear submarine equipped with heavy metal-cooled reactors, the Project 645 (also November class), and participated in the creation of the world's first titanium-hulled nuclear submarine, the Project 661 Anchar (NATO name Papa) SSGN.[7] Most recently, Malakhit has been developing new, unified torpedo-missile armament systems to accommodate the latest types of cruise missiles, torpedoes, rocket-assisted torpedoes, and mines, and remains the leader in designing naval hardware for the Russian Navy.[6] In the export sphere, Malakhit's main push has been the export of mini-submarines, small submarines, and equipment for the oil and gas market.  The Triton-class mini-submarine is even being promoted to commercial customers for tourism.  For foreign navies, Malakhit is promoting the Project 865 Piranya (NATO name Losos) class mini-submarine to Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Near East, which appeared at expositions in Indonesia (February 2005) and Singapore (May 2005).[13,14]   The Piranya was originally designed for the Soviet Navy; the first of class was laid down in July 1984.  While the Russian Navy no longer uses Piranyas (only two were ever built), Malakhit believes that the vessel, which is quick and relatively inexpensive to build, is well-suited to navies that must operate in shallow waters.  There have also been negotiations with France over joint construction and sale of Piranyas to third countries.  According to Russian sources, these offers, initiated at the November 2004 EuroNavale expo in Paris, await French government approval.[15] In addition, the Malakhit design bureau designed the Project 971 Shchuka-B or Bars (NATO name Akula) class nuclear-powered submarine.  Two of these boats are currently under construction at Amurskiy Shipyard, in the Russian Far East.  As noted above, there have been reports for nearly a decade that India might purchase or lease one of these boats.

Kilo-class submarine. Source: Rubin Website, http://www.ckb-rubin.ru

Northern Machine-Building Enterprise (Sevmash)

The largest of the two shipyards of the Russian State Center for Atomic Shipbuilding (GRTsAS) in Severodvinsk, the Northern Machine-Building Enterprise (more commonly referred to as Sevmash) began building nuclear-powered submarines in 1952.  By 1995, Sevmash had constructed 125 submarines and had produced all the Northern Fleet's SSBNs.[16,17] Currently, the shipyard is constructing fourth-generation submarines for the Russian Navy (the Borey-class SSBN and Yasen-class SSGN) and overhauling Russian Navy submarines—repairs were completed on one Bars-class (NATO name Akula) SSN and one Akula-class (Typhoon) SSBN in the past three years, and one Akula is still in the drydock at the yard.  Sevmash also defuels and dismantlies Russian SSBNs (four are at Sevmash for scrapping as of 2005).[18] Most recently, Sevmash has begun to construct submarines for export for the first time.  On July 27, 2005, Sevmash launched the second of two diesel-electric Kilo-class submarines the yard is building for export under contract to Rosoboroneksport. The first was launched in May. Both boats are awaiting trials. The two submarines were the first diesel boats constructed at Sevmash in 40 years.[19]

Zvezdochka State Machine-Building Enterprise

The smaller of the two shipyards of the Russian State Center for Atomic Shipbuilding (GRTsAS) in Severodvinsk, Zvezdochka, was commissioned in 1954.  Since its establishment, the yard has repaired and modernized over 100 first-, second-, and third-generation submarines.[20]  More recently, Zvezdochka has been involved with dismantling SSBNs under START I.   Zvezdochka also constructs submarines for export and repairs submarines previously exported.  For instance, it has overhauled and modernized several of India's Project 877EKM Varshavyanka (Kilo) class submarines.[21] In February 2005, it signed its most recent such contract, for the modernization of the Sindhudhvaj. [22]

Admiralteyskiye Verfi (Admiralty Shipyards)

Also known as Admiralty-Sudomekh, United Admiralty, and Leningradskoye Admiralteyskoye Obedineniye, Admiralteyskiye Verfi is a former nuclear submarine production facility and consists of two side-by-side shipyards in St. Petersburg.[16,23,24] Unlike Sevmash and Zvezdochka, both state-owned entities, Admiralteyskiye Verfi is a joint stock company.

The shipyard is building a new Project 667 Lada-class submarine for the Russian Navy, and has laid down an Amur 1650 (the export variant of the Lada), but has yet to find a buyer. It had promoted the boat to India, but in 2001 India decided to purchase French Scorpènes instead.[25] In addition, Admiralty Shipyards has built a line of Varshavyanka submarines for the Indian and Chinese navies. As of July 2005, Admiralty was completing work on two Varshavyankas for China.[26]  The shipyard is building five of the eight SSKs ordered by Beijing, and is hoping to expand production of submarines for export still further: in late 2005 or early 2006 it is expected to decide conclusively whether to invest some $80 million in a new production line for diesel submarines, as is currently planned.[26] The shipyard also has contracts to modernize Indian and Chinese Project 877EKM Kilos (outfitting them as Project 636 vessels); each such contract is worth about $1 million. Rosoboroneksport, Russia's weapons export agency, has also recently begun negotiating the refit of the three Varshavyankas sold to Iran with the Klub S system. Both Zvezdochka and

Admiralty shipyards will vie for the Iranian contract.

Kilo class submarine

Project 877 (Varshavyanka) submarine. Source: Rubin Website, http://www.ckb-rubin.ru

Project 636 (Improved Kilo) submarine, Admiralty. Source: Admiralty Website, http://www.admship.ru

An Iranian Kilo class submarine, the Yunes

Class overviewBuilders: Central Design Bureau for Marine

Engineering “Rubin”

Shipyard 199 "Krasnoe Sormovo", Nizhniy Novgorod (Gorkiy)

Shipyard 112,"imeni Leninskogo Komsomola", Komsoloľsk na Amure

Shipyard "Leningradskoe Admiralteyskoe Obedinenie" (Admiralteyskie Verfi), Saint Petersburg (Leningrad)

Shipyard "Severnoe Mašinostroiteľnoe Predprijatie", Severodvinsk

Operators:  Soviet Navy Russian Navy Indian Navy Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Indonesian Navy Polish Navy Romanian Naval Forces Algerian National Navy

 People's Liberation Army Navy Vietnamese People's Navy

Preceded by: Tango class submarineSucceeded by: Lada class submarineIn commission:

April 1982

Building: 9Completed: 49Active: 42Laid up: 5Retired: 2

General characteristics

Displacement: Surfaced: 2,300-2,350 tonsSubmerged:3,000-4,000 tons full load

Length: 70.0-74.0 meters

Draft: 6.5 mDepth of hold: Operational: 240 meters

Maximum: 300 metersInstalled power:

Diesel-electric

Propulsion: Diesel-electric propulsion2 x 1000 kW Diesel generators1 x 5,500-6,800 shp Propulsion motor1 x fixed-pitch Propeller

Speed: Surfaced: 10-12 knotsSubmerged: 17-25 knots

Range: With snorkel: 6,000-7,500 miles at 7 knotsSubmerged: 400 miles at 3 knotsFull run: 12.7 miles at 21 knots

Endurance: 45 daysTest depth: 300 mComplement: 52Armament: 6/553 mm torpedo tubes

18 torpedoes24 mines8 SA-N-8 Gremlin or 8 SA-N-10 Gimlet Surface-to-air missiles (export submarines may not be equipped with air defense weapons)

The Kilo class is the NATO reporting name for a military 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 will be succeeded by the Lada class submarine, which began sea trials in 2005. 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.[1] 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.[2]

Contents

1 Operators 2 Possible operators

o 2.1 Project 877 unitso 2.2 Project 636 units

3 Specifications 4 Gallery 5 See also

6 References

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. [3] So far, 33 vessels have been exported to several countries:

 Algeria - 2 Original Kilo, 2 Improved Kilo to be commissioned between 2009-2010.[4]

 People's Republic of China - 2 Original Kilo, 10 Improved Kilo.[5][6][7]

 India - designated as the Sindhughosh class; 10 active.[8][9]

 Poland - 1 Kilo ORP Orzeł.[10]

 Iran - 3 Kilo.[11]

 Romania - 1 Kilo - (Delfinul II).[12]

 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).[13]; 3 Improved Kilo ordered

 Vietnam - 6 Improved Kilo on order, contract signed in 2010, production of one per year. [14]

[edit] Possible operators

 India - tender for 6 new diesel subs ongoing  Iran - Tehran likely to buy more submarines  Venezuela - likely to buy 6 new Russian built subs  Egypt - likely to buy 4 Project 636 Kilo diesel subs for about $1.2 bln  Libya - considering purchase of 1-2 Russian built subs  Indonesia - tender for 2 new diesel subs ongoing[15]

[edit] Project 877 unitsProject 877 - significant dates

Operator

# Name Shipyard ProjectLaid down

Launched

Commissioned

Fleet

Status

 Russia

B-248

xKomsoloľsk na Amure

87716.03.1980

12.09.1980

31.12.1980 in reserve

 Russia

B-260

ChitaKomsoloľsk na Amure

87722.02.1981

23.08.1981

30.12.1981 PFactive as of 2010

 Russia

B-227

VyborgKomsoloľsk na Amure

87723.02.1982

16.09.1982

23.02.1983 BFactive as of 2010

 Russia

B-229

xKomsoloľsk na Amure

87723.02.1983

15.07.1983

30.10.1983 in reserve

 Russia

B-404

xKomsoloľsk na Amure

87707.05.1983

24.09.1983

30.12.1983 in reserve

 Russia

B-401

NovosibirskNizhniy Novgorod

87706.10.1982

15.03.1984

30.09.1984 NFactive as of 2010

 Russia

B-402

VologdaNizhniy Novgorod

87724.08.1983

29.09.1984

30.12.1984 NFactive as of 2010

 Russia

B-405

(ex Tyumenskiy Komsomolets)

Komsoloľsk na Amure

87720.04.1984

21.09.1984

30.12.1984decommissioned and sold for scrap in 2007

 Poland

291 (ex B-351)

OrzelNizhniy Novgorod

877E 1984 1985 1985active as of 2010

 Romania

581 (ex

Delfinul II Nizhniy Novgorod

877E 1984 1985 1985 unknown (in reserve from

B-801)

1995)

 India S55 SindhugoshSaint Petersburg

877EKM29.05.1983

29.07.1985

25.11.1985

active as of 2010, modernized to project 08773 in 2002-2005

 Russia

B-470

xKomsoloľsk na Amure

87706.05.1985

27.08.1985

30.12.1985decommissioned and sold for scrap in 2007

 Russia

B-806

xNizhniy Novgorod

877EKM15.10.1984

30.04.1986

25.09.1986 BFactive as of 2009, status in 2010 unknown

 India S56 SindhudhvajSaint Petersburg

877EKM01.04.1986

27.07.1986

25.11.1986active as of 2010

 Algeria

012Rais Hadi Mubarek

Nizhniy Novgorod

877EKM 1985 1986 29.11.1986active as of 2007, status in 2010 unknown

 Russia

B-439

xKomsoloľsk na Amure

87704.04.1986

31.07.1986

30.12.1986 in reserve

 India S57 SindhurajNizhniy Novgorod

877EKM 1986 1987 02.09.1987

active as of 2010, modernized to project 08773 in 1999-2001

 Algeria

013Rais Hadi Slimane

Nizhniy Novgorod

877EKM 1986 1987 25.11.1987in reserve in 2006, status in 2010 unknown

 India S58 SindhuvirSaint Petersburg

877EKM15.05.1987

13.09.1987

25.12.1987

active as of 2010, modernized to project 08773 in 1997-1999

 Russia

B-445

Svyatoi Nikolai Chudotvorets

Komsoloľsk na Amure

87721.03.1987

26.09.1987

30.01.1988 PFunknown (in reserve from 2007 or active)

 India S59 SindhuratnaNizhniy Novgorod

877EKM 1987 1988 14.08.1988

active as of 2010, modernized to project 08773 in 2001-2003

 India S60 SindhukesariSaint Petersburg

877EKM20.04.1988

16.08.1988

29.10.1988

active as of 2010, modernized to project 08773 in 1999-2001

 Russia

B-808

YaroslavlNizhniy Novgorod

87729.09.1986

30.07.1988

27.12.1988 NFactive as of 2010

 Russia

B-394

(ex Komsomolsk Tadjikistana)

Komsoloľsk na Amure

87715.04.1988

03.09.1988

30.12.1988 PFunknown (in reserve from 2007 or active)

 Russi B- Kaluga (ex Nizhniy 877LPM 05.03.198 07.05.198 30.09.1989 NF active as of

a 800Vologodskij komsomolets)

Novgorod B 7 9 2010

 India S61 SindhukirtiSaint Petersburg

877EKM05.04.1989

26.08.1989

30.10.1989

in modernization to project 08773 from 2007

 Russia

B-464

Ust'-Kamchatsk

Komsoloľsk na Amure

87726.05.1989

23.09.1989

30.01.1990 PFin reserve from 2007

 Russia

B-459

VledikavkazNizhniy Novgorod

87725.02.1988

29.04.1990

30.09.1990 NFunknown (in reserve from 2008 or active)

 India S62 SindhuvijaySaint Petersburg

877EKM06.04.1990

27.07.1990

27.10.1990

active as of 2010, modernized to project 08773 in 2005-2007

 Russia

B-871

AlrosaNizhniy Novgorod

877V17.05.1988

09.1989 30.12.1990 BSFactive as of 2010

 Russia

B-471

MagnitogorskNizhniy Novgorod

87726.10.1988

22.09.1990

30.12.1990 NFactive as of 2010

 Russia

B-494

Ust'-Bolsheretsk

Komsoloľsk na Amure

87705.05.1990

04.10.1990

30.12.1990 PFunknown (in reserve from 2008 or active)

 Iran 901 TaregSaint Petersburg

877EKM05.04.1991

25.09.1991

25.12.1991

unknown (probably in modernization to project 08773 from 2006)

 Russia

B-187

xKomsoloľsk na Amure

87707.05.1991

05.10.1991

30.12.1991 PFin reserve from 2007

 Russia

B-177

LipetskNizhniy Novgorod

87703.11.1989

27.07.1991

30.12.1991 NFactive as of 2010

 Russia

B-190

Krasnokamensk

Komsoloľsk na Amure

87708.05.1992

25.09.1992

30.12.1992 PFactive as of 2010

 Iran 902 NoorSaint Petersburg

877EKM30.04.1992

16.10.1992

31.12.1992

unknown (probably in modernization to project 08773 from 2006)

 Russia

B-345

MogochaKomsoloľsk na Amure

87722.04.1993

06.10.1993

22.01.1994 PFactive as of 2010

 People's Republic of China

364Yuan Zhend 64 Hao

Nizhniy Novgorod

877EKM ??? 1994 10.11.1994active as of 2007

 People's

365 Yuan Zhend 65 Hao

Nizhniy Novgorod

877EKM ??? 1995 14.08.1995 active as of 2007

Republic of China

 Iran 903 YunesSaint Petersburg

877EKM05.02.1992

12.07.1994

02.09.1996

unknown (probably in modernization to project 08773 from 2006)

 India S63 SindhurakshakSaint Petersburg

877EKM16.02.1995

26.06.1997

02.10.1997

in modernization to project 08773 from 09.08.2010 work is planned for approximately 2 years [16]

 India S64 SindhushastraSaint Petersburg

877EKM12.12.1998

14.10.1999

16.05.2000active as of 2010

Project 636 unitsProject 636 - significant dates

Operator # Name Shipyard Project Laid down Launched Commissioned Fleet Status People'

s Republic of China

366Yuan Zhend 66 Hao

Saint Petersburg

636 16.07.1996 26.04.1997 26.08.1997active as of 2006

 People's Republic of China

367Yuan Zhend 67 Hao

Saint Petersburg

636 28.08.1997 18.06.1998 25.10.1998active as of 2006

 People's Republic of China

368Yuan Zhend 68 Hao

Saint Petersburg

636M 18.10.2002 27.05.2004 20.10.2004active as of 2006

 People's Republic of China

369Yuan Zhend 69 Hao

Saint Petersburg

636M 18.10.2002 19.08.2004 2005active as of 2006

 People's Republic of China

370Yuan Zhend 70 Hao

Saint Petersburg

636M 2004 05.2005 2005active as of 2006

 People's Republic of China

371Yuan Zhend 71 Hao

Saint Petersburg

636M 2004 2005 2005active as of 2006

 People's Republic of China

372Yuan Zhend 72 Hao

Saint Petersburg

636M 2005 2005 2006active as of 2006

 People's Republic of China

373Yuan Zhend 73 Hao

Nizhniy Novgorod

636M 07.1992 08.05.2004 05.08.2005active as of 2007

 People's Republic of China

374Yuan Zhend 74 Hao

Severodvinsk 636M 29.05.2003 21.05.2005 30.12.2005active as of 2006

 People's Republic of China

375Yuan Zhend 75 Hao

Severodvinsk 636M 29.05.2003 14.07.2005 30.12.2005active as of 2006

 Algeria 022 ??? Saint 636M 2006 20.11.2008 28.08.2009 active

Petersburg

 Algeria023 (?)

???Saint Petersburg

636M 2007 09.04.2009 29.10.2009 active

 RussiaB-261

NovorossiyskSaint Petersburg

636.320.08.2010 [17] pl.2013 BSF laid down

 RussiaB-???

???Saint Petersburg

636.3 pl.2011 pl.2014 BSF ordered

 RussiaB-???

???Saint Petersburg

636.3 pl.2011 pl.2014 BSFordered [18]

 Vietnam

??? ???Saint Petersburg

636M 25.08.2010 pl.2013[19]

ordered, could have been laid down [20]

 Vietnam

??? ???Saint Petersburg

636M pl.2014 ordered

 Vietnam

??? ???Saint Petersburg

636M pl.2015 ordered

 Vietnam

??? ???Saint Petersburg

636M pl.2016 ordered

 Vietnam

??? ???Saint Petersburg

636M pl.2017 ordered

 Vietnam

??? ???Saint Petersburg

636M pl.2018 ordered

Specifications

Schematic drawing of the Kilo class.

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.[21]

Displacement: o 2,300-2,350 tons surfacedo 3,000-4,000 tons submerged

Dimensions: o Length: 70–74 meters

o Beam: 9.9 meterso Draft: 6.2-6.5 meters

Maximum speed o 10-12 knots surfacedo 17-25 knots submerged

Propulsion: Diesel-electric 5,900 shp (4,400 kW) Maximum depth: 300 meters (240–250 meters operational) Endurance

o 400 nautical miles (700 km) at 3 knots (6 km/h) submergedo 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) at 7 knots (13 km/h) snorkeling (7,500 miles for the

Improved Kilo class)o 45 days sea endurance

Armament o Air defence: 8 SA-N-8 Gremlin or SA-N-10 Gimlet[22] Surface-to-air missiles (export

submarines may not be equipped with air defense weapons)o 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, 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)

This site is devoted to history of creation, construction and service of a submarine "ALROSA" of the Black Sea fleet, Russian Federation. The submarine has been created on a experimental Project 877V (a diesel-electric submarine with a pump jet propulsion). Today this submarine is a part of 247-th Division of submarines of the Black Sea fleet (2 SSK), and actively participates in actions and the doctrines spent on fleet.

 The Kilo Class (Project 877) submarine was designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare in the protection of naval bases, coastal installations and sea lanes, and also for general reconnaissance and patrol missions. The Kilo is considered to be to be one of the quietest diesel submarines in the world. The submarine consists of six watertight compartments separated by transverse bulkheads in a pressurised double-hull. This design and the submarine's good reserve buoyancy lead to increased survivability if the submarine is holed, even with one compartment and two adjacent ballast tanks flooded. The foreplanes are positioned on the upper hull in front of the fin or sail. The command and control systems and fire control systems are located in the main control room which is sealed off from the other compartments. The Russian fleet operates three variants of the Kilo 877: the basic 877; the 877K that has an improved fire-control system; and the 877M that has wire-guided torpedoes from two tubes. Export models, designated with an 'E' suffix, are generally similar though with some reduced features. A total of at least 26 and perhaps as many as 30 were built for the Russian navy, one of which was subequently exported to Iran. All the 30 Kilo-class

submarines built for service with the Russian Navy are designated Project 877, although 15 of these are the earlier-developed 877EKM and 15 the later 636 versions. Kilo Class Submarines History

The Kilo Class (Project 877) submarine was designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare in the protection of naval bases, coastal installations and sea lanes, and also for general reconnaissance and patrol missions. The Kilo is considered to be to be one of the quietest diesel submarines in the world. The submarine consists of six watertight compartments separated by transverse bulkheads in a pressurised double-hull. This design and the submarine's good reserve buoyancy lead to increased survivability if the submarine is holed, even with one compartment and two adjacent ballast tanks flooded. The foreplanes are positioned on the upper hull in front of the fin or sail. The command and control systems and fire control systems are located in the main control room which is sealed off from the other compartments.

Diesel-Electric Submarine - Project 877The Project 636 design is a generally improved development of the Project 877EKM Kilo class that represents an interim design between the standard 'Kilo' and the new Lada project. The Project 636 is actively promoted for the world market by the Rosvoorouzhenie state-owned company. This submarine has improved range, firepower, acoustic characteristics and reliability. Visually distinguished by a step on the aft casing, the length of the hull is extended by two frame spacings (2 x 600 mm). The additional length permitted increasing the power of diesel-generators and mounting them on improved shock-absorbing support, and reducing twofold the main propulsion shaft speed. Owing to these improvements, the submarine speed and sea endurance were increased, while the noise level was radically decreased. The low noise level of the submarine has been achieved with the selection of quiet machinery, vibration and noise isolation and a special anti-acoustic rubber coating applied on the outer hull surface. The Project 636 is equipped with six 533 mm forward torpedo tubes situated in the nose of the submarine and carries eighteen torpedoes with six in the torpedo tubes and twelve stored on the racks. Alternatively the torpedo tubes can deploy mines. The submarine can carry 24 mines with two in each of the six tubes and twelve on the racks. Two torpedo tubes are designed for firing remote-controlled torpedoes with a very high accuracy. All torpedo tubes and their service systems provide effective firing from periscope to operational depths. The computer-controlled torpedo system is provided with a quick-loading device. It takes only 15 seconds to prepare stand-by torpedo tubes for firing: The first salvo is fired within two minutes and the second within five minutes. The Russian fleet operates three variants of the Kilo 877: the basic 877; the 877K that has an improved fire-control system; and the 877M that has wire-guided torpedoes from two tubes. Export models, designated with an 'E' suffix, are generally similar though with some reduced features. A total of at least 26 and perhaps as many as 30 were built for the Russian navy, one of which was subequently exported to Iran. All the 30 Kilo-class submarines built for service with the Russian Navy are designated Project 877, although 15 of these are the earlier-developed 877EKM and 15 the later 636 versions. As of early 2000 as many as 14 units were believed to remain active, with an additional 7 in reserve, though specific identities are not known. As of early 1998 construction of the Project 877EKM submarines was nearly completed, with only one submarine left under construction in St.Petersburg for the Indian Navy. Russia exported 21 Project 877 and 636 submarines, including: India - 10, and China - 4, Iran - 3, Algeria - 2, Poland - 1, Romania - 1. On 04 August 1993, Iran took delivery of a second Russian Kilo-class diesel submarine, and the third arrived 18 January 1996. Russia went ahead with the first two deliveries despite vigorous US protests. In response to Administration pressure and US sanctions legislation, Russia formally pledged in June 1995 not to enter any new arms contracts with Iran, although prior arms contracts could be implemented. India took delivery of the first of the two additional Russian-built Kilo class submarines in January 1999. On 17 August 2000 the Sindhushastra began the two month voyage from St Petersburg to India. The 877EKM

submarine was the last in a series of 10 submarines built at Russian shipyards for Indian customers. In August 2000 the Zvezdochka engineering enterprise at Severodvinsk started the work of servicing and modernizing the Indian series-877EKM submarine Sinduratna, the second Indian sub to have had a refit at Zvezdochka. In 1999 the Indian Navy took delivery of the Sinduvir, the first submarine to have been modernized at Severodvinsk. The Sinduratna will be the second Indian submarine to be fitted with four ZM-54E1 missiles, with a range of 300 km. The missiles are part of the latest Klab-S anti-ship missile complex designed by the Novator bureau at Yekaterinburg. In the spring of 1997, the first Project 636 submarine was launched, and China became the first customer for this submarine. The last of four export Kilo-class boats for China, the second improved model Project 636 unit, was launched on 17 June 1998 and departed the Baltic aboard a heavy-lift ship on 11 December 1998, bound for the submarine base at Ning-bo. China is also said to be interested in purchasing several more 636 series submarines, one of which is now in an unfinished state at the Krasnoye Sormovo yard in Nizhniy Novgorod, while others may be built at the Admiralteyskiye Verfi [Admiralty Shipyards] in St Petersburg. In early June 2002 China was reported to be negotiating with Russia to purchase eight more Kilo-class Project 636 submarines for $1.5 billion, scheduled for delivery over the following five years. The contract for the building of the submarines was under competition among the Admiralteiskiye Verfi shipbuilding enterprise (St. Petersburg), the works in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, the Krasnoye Sormovo enterprise (Nizhny Novgorod), and the Sevmash association (Severnaya Dvina).

Kilo Class Submarine "ALROSA"

• Displacement (tons):

- Surfaced - 2300 t.;- Full Lload Submerged - 3950 t.

• Dimensions (m): Length - 76,2 m, Width - 9,9 m, Draft - 6,2 m.

• Speed (kts): Surfaced - 10 knots, Submerge - 17 knots.

• Diving depth (m): Periscope - 17,5 m, Operational - 240 m, Maximum - 300 m.

• Endurance: With Snorkel - 6000 miles at 7 knots, Submerged - 400 miles at 3 knots.

• Propulsion: Diesel and Electric Motors, 2 x 1000 kW Diesel Generators, 1 x 5,500 shp Propulsion Motor, Two 120-cell Storage Batteries, 1 x 190 shp Propulsion Economic Motor, 2 x 102 shp Stand-By Reserve Motor, 1 Pump Jet Propulsion.

• Armament: 6 x 533mm Torpedo Tubes, 18 Torpedoes or 24 Mines, 8 Igla (SA-N-10 Gimlet) Missiles.

• Crew (prs): 52 (12 officers).

Krasnoye Sormovo Shipyard

The Krasnoye Sormovo Shipyard was founded in 1849.  It built the Soviet Union's second- and third-generation Project 670 Skat and Chayka (NATO name Charlie I and Charlie II) SSGNs, Project 671 Ersh, Semga, and Schuka (NATO name Victor I, Victor II, and Victor III) SSNs, and Project 945 Barrakuda (NATO name Sierra) SSNs, in addition to Project 641 Som (NATO name Tango) and Varshavyanka diesel submarines.[24]  In 1994, the shipyard was privatized.[24,27] Since that time, the yard has constructed three Kilos for China.[28] In 2002, Krasnoye Sormovo received a contract for the construction of yet one more Varshavyanka, an updated Project 636 version, for China.[29]

Amurskiy Zavod

The Amurskiy Sudostroitelnyy Zavod, located in Komsomolsk-na-Amure, Khabarovsk territory, in the Russian Far East, began operations in 1957.[16] The shipyard produced a total of 56 submarines from 1960 to 1996. Because the shallow waters of the Amur River prevented the launching of large vessels, Amurskiy Zavod built only smaller SSBNs—Project 667A Navaga (NATO name Yankee) and Project 667B Murena (NATO name Delta I), SSNs—Project 971 Shchuka B (NATO name Akula) and Project 671 Ersh and Shchuka (NATO name Victor I and III), as well as Varshavyanka-class diesel submarines.[30,31] In November 1992, President Boris Yeltsin announced the termination of nuclear submarine construction at Amurskiy Zavod and the consolidation of future nuclear submarine production at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk.[16,30,31]  An Akula SSN (the K-295 or Drakon), completed at Bolshoy Kamen's Vostok Plant (Primorskiy Kray) in 1995, was the last nuclear submarine released from the Komsomolsk-na-Amure plant.[32] Despite the presidential order, however, two nuclear submarines remained under construction at the facility.  The two submarines are Project 971 Shchuka-B (NATO name Akula II) class submarines.[32] During President Vladimir Putin's October 1999 visit to the facility (when Putin was still in the post of prime minister), the decision that one submarine would be completed and the other used for spare parts in Severodvinsk was announced.[33]  As of August 2005, there are no reports that the latter has been dismantled or parts shipped to the northern yard.  Meanwhile, reports continued to surface that India would lease the first Akula II completed at Amurskiy Shipyard (discussed above). The shipyard has had less success obtaining new contracts for the construction of Kilo-class submarines for export. In May 2002, Russia's export agency (Rosoboroneksport) signed a contract for the sale of eight Kilos to China.  Initially, Amurskiy Zavod was to build two of these vessels.  However, in June of that year the Russian Shipbuilding Agency transferred the contract to Sevmash instead, reportedly saying that strategic exports should be made by state, not private, shipyards.  However, Krasnoye Sormovo, a private yard, retained its contract for one of the Chinese Kilos.

CURRENT RUSSIAN SUBMARINE EXPORT CLASSES: Project 877K/877M/636 Varshavyanka (NATO Name Kilo)

Piranya class midget submarine

Displacement, tons: 218, submerged

Dimensions, ft (m): 92.5 x 15.4 x 12.8 (28.2 x 4.7 x 3.9)

Main machinery: One 160 MW diesel generator; one 60 kW direct current motor

Speed, knots: 8 surfaced - 6.7 submerged

Range, miles: 1,000 at 4 knots, surfaced - 260 at 4 knots, submerged

Complement: 3 officers and group of 6 divers

Diving depth, ft (m): 650 (200)

Endurance: 10 days

Weapons: Two containers for the transport of diving units and two mine units or two lattices for Latush torpedoes