Naval Systems

Project 636.3 Improved Kilo

Project 636.3 Improved Kilo is Russia's modernized diesel-electric attack submarine class, built by Admiralty Shipyards from the earlier Kilo family. The design adds quieter machinery, updated sensors and combat systems, and Kalibr-PL cruise-missile strike capability for Russian Navy service.

Cruise Missiles Fired

Project 636.3 submarines are configured to launch Kalibr-PL cruise missiles through their 533 mm tubes.

AmmunitionAmmunition typeFiring evidence
Kalibr, Sea-launched land-attack cruise missile family, ArtilleryKalibrCruise missile family

Naval News says Project 636.3 submarines can fire Kalibr-PL missiles through their six 533 mm launchers.

Sources: Russia launches Final Project 636.3 Submarine for Pacific Fleet

Specifications

Displacement
About 2,350 tonnes surfaced; about 3,100 to 3,950 tonnes submerged
Length
About 73.8 metres
Beam
About 9.9 metres
Draft
About 6.1 to 6.2 metres
Crew
52
Speed
About 17 knots surfaced; about 20 knots submerged
Endurance
About 45 days
Test depth
About 300 metres
Propulsion
Diesel-electric with two diesel generators and a single seven-bladed propeller
Armament
Six 533 mm torpedo tubes for torpedoes, mines, and Kalibr-PL cruise missiles

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service
Entered Russian Navy service in 2014; later batches were built for the Black Sea and Pacific Fleets.
Used by
Russian Navy
Wars
Syrian Civil War

Conflict Usage

Side
🏳️Unspecified

Confirmed combat use: Russian Project 636.3/Improved Kilo submarines fired Kalibr cruise missiles from the Mediterranean at targets in Syria, including Rostov-on-Don in December 2015 and Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino in October 2017.

Timeline

Project 636.3 Improved Kilo Key Events

  1. Rostov-on-Don fires Kalibr missiles at Syria

    Defense News reported the submarine's submerged launch of four Kalibr cruise missiles from the Mediterranean at targets in Syria.

    Sources: Russian Submarine Hits Targets in Syria

  2. Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino strike ISIS targets

    CSIS reported the two Black Sea Fleet submarines fired ten Kalibr cruise missiles at ISIS targets near Mayadin in Syria.

    Sources: Russian Subs Fire Kalibr Cruise Missiles at ISIS in Syria

  3. Final Pacific Fleet boat is launched

    Naval News reported Admiralty Shipyards launched Yakutsk, the sixth and final Project 636.3 submarine for the Pacific Fleet.

    Sources: Russia launches Final Project 636.3 Submarine for Pacific Fleet

Project 636.3 Improved Kilo Images

Related Weapon Systems

Sources