Allied Warships

Submarines

M (Malyutka) class

109 ships


The submarine M-90 of the Soviet Navy.

Technical information

TypeSubmarine
Displacement158 / 198 BRT 
Length37,50 m 
Complement18 men 
Armament2 torpedo tubes, 2 torpedoes (XV had 4 torpedo tubes and 4 torpedoes) 
Max speed13,1 / 7,4 knots (surfaced/submerged)
EnginesDiesels / Electric 
Power685 / 240  (surfaced/submerged)
Notes on classThese boats were designed in the beginning of the 30’s as typical coastal submarines. That is why their abilities were modest enough - initial range of VI-series was just 800 nm (later series had 3400), maximum patrol duration - 10 days and just two torpedoes. But far patrols were not for them - these cheap, mass-produced boats were intended to defend naval bases, blockade enemy harbours and, as a main feature, be railway-friendly to be transported from one war theatre to another. Many of these boats were transported 18.000-20.000 km ashore (by railway) to cover 3000-5000 nm during their sea patrols or even execute patrols on Ladoga Lake near Leningrad. It is reported that Malutkas were world’s first fully-welded submarines as of 1932.

There were four main series of M (Malutka): VI, VI-bis, XII and XV, where each latter has many improvements vs previous series (XV had four bow torpedo tubes) and fought at all theatres - Arctic, Baltic, Black Sea, Caspian Sea and at Pacific. The unusual features and advantages of these boats were confirmed during WWII. Russian word “Malutka” means “baby, little one'”

Only 4 series XV submarines were completed during the war, 11 more were laid down during the war but were completed post war. Much more were laid down after the war but these are not included here.

Displacement: VI series - 158/198, VI-bis series - 161/201, XII series - 206/256, XV series - 281/351 BRT Length 37 m (50 m for XV) Complement 16-19 men (32 for XV) 


All ships of the M (Malyutka) class


1st group (Type VI)


Soviet Navy Soviet Navy (more on Soviet Navy)

M-1
M-10
M-11
M-12
M-13
M-14
M-15
M-16
M-17
M-18
M-19
M-2
M-20
M-21
M-22
M-23
M-24
M-25
M-26
M-27
M-28
M-3
M-4
M-5
M-51
M-52
M-6
M-7
M-8
M-9

2nd group (Type VI modified)


Soviet Navy Soviet Navy (more on Soviet Navy)

M-53
M-54
M-55
M-56
M-71 Lost on 24 Jun 1941
M-72
M-73
M-74 Lost on 23 Sep 1941
M-75
M-76
M-77
M-78 Lost on 23 Jun 1941
M-79
M-80 Lost on 24 Jun 1941
M-81 Lost on 1 Jul 1941
M-82
M-83 Lost on 27 Jun 1941
M-84
M-85
M-86

3rd group (Type XII)


Soviet Navy Soviet Navy (more on Soviet Navy)

M-102
M-103 Lost on Aug 1941
M-104
M-105
M-106 Lost on 5 Jul 1943
M-107
M-108 Lost on 28 Feb 1944
M-111
M-112
M-113
M-114
M-115
M-116
M-117
M-118 Lost on 1 Oct 1942
M-119
M-120
M-121 Lost on Nov 1942
M-122 Lost on 14 May 1943
M-171
M-172 Lost on Oct 1943
M-173 Lost on Aug 1942
M-174 Lost on Oct 1943
M-176 Lost on Jul 1942
M-30
M-31 Lost on 17 Dec 1942
M-32
M-33 Lost on 22 Aug 1942
M-35
M-36 Lost on 4 Jan 1944
M-57 Lost on Aug 1941
M-58 Lost on Oct 1941
M-59 Lost on Nov 1941
M-60 Lost on Sep 1942
M-62
M-63 Lost on Aug 1941
M-90
M-92
M-94 Lost on 21 Jul 1941
M-95 Lost on Jun 1942
M-96 Lost on 8 Sep 1944
M-97 Lost on 15 Aug 1942
M-98 Lost on 14 Nov 1941
M-99 Lost on 27 Jun 1941
M-175 Lost on 10 Jan 1942
M-34 Lost on 3 Nov 1941

4th group (type XV)


Soviet Navy Soviet Navy (more on Soviet Navy)

M-200 Lost on 21 Nov 1956
M-201
M-202
M-203
M-204
M-205
M-206
M-214
M-215
M-216
M-217
M-218
M-219
M-234
M-235


109 Submarines (111 names) of the M (Malyutka) class. 33 of them were lost.

See all Submarine classes.


M (Malyutka) class ships hit by U-boats (3)

10 Jan 1942USSR M-175SunkU-584
23 Jun 1941USSR M-78SunkU-144
21 Jul 1941USSR M-94SunkU-140

Books dealing with this subject include:



Return to the Allied Warships section