Romeo (class) / (Project 633)

Romeo (Class)/(Item 633) Stories

The 1950s saw considerable growth in the Soviet Navy's submarine fleet, which eventually competed with the United States. The Romeo class (Type 633) is a new diesel-electric fleet that proved to be one of the most numerous of its kind during the Cold War (1947-1991), with a total of 133 ships before the end.

The series continued to serve in the Soviet Navy as well as the navies of China, North Korea, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Egypt and Syria, but their arrival was influenced by the rise of nuclear submarines, which began to make their way into the Soviet Navy's inventory.

The Romeo class succeeded the Whiskey class ships in Soviet service, but was itself replaced by the improved Foxtrot class.

The modern North Korean Navy uses its aging Romeo-class fleet (as of 2017). These are delivered in pre-assembled kits from China and then finished in North Korean shipyards. At least twenty are believed to be in stock, although their tactical value remains questionable. The fleet is considered (or about to be) retired in support of the upcoming Sang-O class (detailed elsewhere on this site).

The Romeo class ships from China are called "Type 033" and this design originated from the local development/further development of the Romeo class ships that were forced into the country due to the Sino-Soviet split. Throughout its life cycle, the course has undergone improvements and redesigns in China.

As planned, the Romeo-class ships have a displacement of 1,475 tons and a submerged displacement of 1,830 tons. The overall length reaches 251.2 feet, the beam is 22 feet, and the draft is 17 feet.

Power comes from 2 x 4,000 hp marine diesel engines for surface work and a pair of electric motors for underwater work. These all drive the current to the 2 shafts in the stern. The surface speed can reach more than 15 knots, and the underwater speed is 13 knots. The range is 9,000 miles.

There were 54 crew members on board, including 10 officers. A complete radar, sonar and electronic warfare (EW)/countermeasure unit is also installed. Armament includes 8 x 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes arranged in six bow and two stern mounts.

Their appearance matched the submarines of the time. The bow is sharp and the deck is relatively flat from bow to stern. The sail is a flat, closed design, just amidships. The lower part of the bow has a bulge to accommodate the bow-mounted sonar system.

The stern contains a rudder control scheme as well as a twin propeller arrangement.

The Soviet Navy initially required 56 ships, but only 20 were completed from 1957 to 1961 - this is due to the increasing presence of nuclear-powered types. The rest were sold to foreign powers (Soviet allies) around the world, and most of them were decommissioned and scrapped. It is believed that few continue to serve in the Russian Navy, as submarine classrooms and more.

Overall, this design is outdated by modern standards and has little tactical value in today's naval warfare.

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AIR WING