[sukhoi-30mki]

I have to agree that the USN probably has got the prop signatures of these subs long ago.But one also has to understand that D/E subs are usually quieter than N-boats,though their low endurance negates that.One can just look at examples of Dutch & Norwegian subs "sinking" American LA class boats in exercises & most of those boats have pretty much the same characteristics as the Kilo.

[Lurking in Kansas]

...One can just look at examples of Dutch & Norwegian subs "sinking" American LA class boats in exercises & most of those boats have pretty much the same characteristics as the Kilo.

No argument, however, there is a difference between Dutch & Norwegian crews vs. an Iranian crew. Can you even imagine being on a sub crewed by the Iranians? LOL

;-)

[dimk]

To operate in the gulf and formuse straight you don't need much endurance probably. That sort of quiet boat armed with long range anti-shipping missile that has supersonic terminal stage is extremely dangerous. These guys don't even need or care about sinking US subs or ships. Few of these boats + good intel on commercial ship traffic and you have no oil flowing out of the Persian gulf. Question is how good boats are maintained, how competent are the crews (those Scandinavian and British diesels "sinking" US nuclear boats have elite crews, some Russian conscripts on Kilo would have little chance doing that)

There is a reason why US Navy is building Virginia class boats. Supposedly they will be the answer to the newest diesel subs. For now, this is a scary development.

[HRoarke]

If the Iranians had Dutch or Norwegian crews I'd be much more worried.