Naval analyst H I Sutton argues the Kilo-class submarine’s “black hole” nickname overstates its stealth. He says the Kilo was quieter than earlier Soviet boats but not necessarily quieter than modern Western conventional submarines, and notes its lack of air-independent propulsion limits how long it can remain submerged undetected.
WHO:H I Sutton
WHAT:H I Sutton provides an analysis disputing the “black hole” stealth label for Russia’s Kilo-class submarines and discusses their acoustic limits and export appeal.
WHEN:Reported Sep 7, 2026 at 11:49 AM ET
WHERE:Location not specified
WHY:The analysis is prompted by the long-running “black hole” nickname and claims about the Kilo-class’s stealth performance.
Reporting from 1 identified publisher for this event.
