FORCETALLY
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At a glance
Astute-class submarinelarger figure on 3 of 3
Orka-class submarinelarger figure on 0 of 3
Measured figures
Length
Single sourceAstute class · Length
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | Astute-class submarine | Orka-class submarine |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Astute class[source] | Orka class[source] |
| Builders | BAE Systems Submarines , Barrow-in-Furness[source] | Naval Group[source] |
| Operators | Royal Navy[source] | Royal Netherlands Navy[source] |
| Preceded by | Trafalgar class[source] | Walrus class |
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Length
Single source82 m (269 ft 0 in)[source]
Surfaced
Single sourceAstute class · Displacement
Single sourceSubmerged
Single sourceSurfaced: 7,000 to 7,400 t (6,900 to 7,300 long tons) Submerged: 7,400 to 7,800 t (7,300 to 7,700 long tons)[source]
7,400 tonnes[source]Astute class
Surfaced
Single source3,300 t (3,248 long tons ) surfaced[source]
plus at least 16 additional berths
Single source35 to 43 (plus at least 16 additional berths)[source]
capacity for 109
Single source98 (capacity for 109)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Succeeded by | SSN-AUKUS (First design contract awarded)[source] | — |
|---|
| Cost | Over £ 1.65 billion per boat (2015 est.)[source] | € 3.5 billion (2018) (equivalent to € 4.11 billion in 2025) for 4 units € 4.64 billion (2020) (equivalent to € 5.36 billion in 2025) for 4 units € 5.6 billion (2024) (equivalent to € 5.65 billion in 2025) for 4 units[source] |
|---|
| Built | 2001–present[source] | 2027 -[source] |
|---|
| In commission | 2010–present[source] | 2034+[source] |
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| Planned |
|---|
| Building | — |
|---|
| Completed | — |
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| Active | — |
|---|
| Type | Nuclear-powered attack submarine[source] | Diesel-electric attack submarine[source] |
|---|
| Propulsion | 1 × Rolls-Royce PWR 2 nuclear reactor MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators[source] | Diesel-electric with lithium-ion batteries[source] |
|---|
| Endurance | Unlimited in terms of propulsion, air and water, but otherwise typically 90 days, based on the amount of food carried and endurance of the crew[source] | — |
|---|
| Test depth | Over 300 m (980 ft)[source] | — |
|---|
| Sensors & processing systems | Thales Sonar 2076 Atlas DESO 25 echosounder 2 × Thales CM010 optronic masts Raytheon Successor IFF[source] | Systems: Thales multi-acoustic sensors surveillance Sonars: Thales sonar suite: Flank array sonar Towed array sonar MOAS (mine & obstacle avoidance sonar) Cylindrical array sonar Intercept cylindrical array Echo sounder (navigation) Masts: Safran Series-30AOM / SOM attack and search optronics mast (equipped with integral RESM antennas) Safran Series 10 CSR mast with Sentinel-U radar Safran SIGMA 40 XP gyrolaser navigation systems Communications: Thales underwater communication systems[source] |
|---|
| Armament | 6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 38 weapons: Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes[source] | 6 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes for: F21 Mk2 heavy torpedoes Cruise missiles (TBD) Payload capacity: 30 torpedo-size weapons and UUV[source] |
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| Country of origin | United Kingdom[source] | France[source]Inventory Origin column; table 8, row 3, cell 3; revision 1374083197; retrieved 2026-10-01 |
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| Role | — | future submarine class[source] |
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| Source measurement | — | Roughly, there are two groups in the Dutch parliament – one in favor of replacing the Walrus class by an equally capable class of large, expeditionary, diesel-electric submarine, and the other in favor of choosing a cheaper solution of smaller diesel-electrics, similar to Swedish and German submarines.[source]Orka-class submarine · History / Continued delays; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Damen Group and Saab Group announced that they have partnered from 2015 to jointly develop, offer and build next-generation submarines that are able to replace the current Walrus -class submarines. It was announced on 1 June 2018 that their design will be derived from the A26 submarine . The proposed submarine is around 73 metres (239 ft 6 in) long with a beam of 8 metres (26 ft 3 in). Furthermore, the displacement will be around 2,900 tonnes (2,900 long tons ), with a complement of 34 to 42 people. The boat's armament includes six torpedo tubes and one multi-mission lock which can be used to deploy special forces. On 28 July 2023 they submitted a submarine design for the Walrus class replacement program that is called C718. The offer includes knowledge transfer so that the Royal Netherlands Navy can perform maintenance and upgrade the submarines during their lifespan by themselves.[source]Orka-class submarine · History / Contenders; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage |
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