The difficulty of replacing the Kilo class leaves improved versions of the existing design as Russia's dependable diesel-electric option. Lada is judged to have failed to deliver the intended replacement, while its proposed successor is said to have lost funding in 2021. Improved Kilos are still credited with useful quietness and a workable design that can restore some lost fleet numbers. The later improved version adds a missile-launch capability. Continuing to build these boats offers a practical fallback while a modern successor remains unavailable. Rebuilding hull numbers also depends on retaining trained crews, and the exchange raises a concern that using submariners as infantry wastes that specialist manpower.
Notable Point · 1:25:59-1:29:14
Improved Kilo as the fallback for Russian diesel submarines
Disappointment with Lada and its planned successor leaves improved Kilos as the practical way to replace Russia's lost diesel-submarine capacity.