GTA Online Kosatka Submarine Guide
Everything you need on the Kosatka in GTA Online: price, the Cayo Perico setup hub, sonar, guided missiles, the Sparrow, and why it pays for itself.
The Kosatka in GTA Online is a Russian-built attack submarine that doubles as the planning headquarters for the Cayo Perico Heist. It was added in the 1.52 Cayo Perico Heist update on December 15, 2020, and it remains one of the most useful properties in the game thanks to its heist hub, on-board weaponry, and the Sparrow helicopter you can call in from almost anywhere. This guide breaks down the Kosatka submarine cost, its key upgrades, and why the Cayo Perico submarine is worth owning.
How Much the Kosatka Submarine Costs
You buy the Kosatka from Warstock Cache & Carry for a base price of $2,200,000. That base model is enough to run the Cayo Perico Heist, but most players add at least a few upgrades, and a fully loaded submarine can climb past $9,000,000.
Ongoing costs are minor. The Kosatka carries a daily fee of $150 for staff and utility charges, which is trivial next to what a single heist pays out. For the price of entry, you get a mobile base that can submerge, relocate around the map, and act as a spawn point.
The Cayo Perico Setup Hub
The Kosatka's headline feature is the heist planning screen below deck. The Cayo Perico Heist is the only major heist that can be set up and played entirely solo, and the Kosatka is what makes that possible. You use the on-board planning board to:
- Scope out the island and mark primary and secondary targets
- Run setup missions for approach vehicles, equipment, and entry points
- Launch the finale directly from the submarine
Once you own a Kosatka, you can replay the heist repeatedly. The submarine itself is the gatekeeper: no Kosatka means no Cayo Perico Heist. For a full walkthrough of approach routes and loot priorities, see our GTA Online guides hub.
Sonar Station and the Avisa
The Sonar Station is one of the most popular add-ons. It lets you scan the seabed for hidden treasure chests and track other submarines around you. For players who like exploring underwater or hunting for collectibles, it earns its keep over time.
The Kosatka can also store the Avisa, a small armored mini-submarine that launches from the Moon Pool. The Avisa is handy for the heist's underwater entry routes and for general aquatic traversal, since standard vehicles can't go where it goes.
Guided Missiles From the Bridge
The Guided Missile Station is the most expensive single upgrade on the Kosatka. It adds two seats next to the sonar systems where you (or another player) can take remote control of a submarine-launched cruise missile and steer it toward a target on the surface.
There is one important limitation to know. The guided missiles detonate the moment they touch water, so they can't reliably hit other submerged submarines, including a rival Kosatka. The station is built for hitting targets above the waterline, not for underwater duels.
The Sparrow Helicopter
The Sparrow is the reason a lot of players never sell their Kosatka. It's a compact amphibious helicopter that stores on a lift inside the Moon Pool and rises through a hatch in the top of the submarine.
What makes it special is convenience. You can request the Sparrow from the Interaction Menu under Kosatka services, and it spawns near you almost anywhere on the map, much like a CEO or VIP vehicle. That makes it one of the fastest ways to get airborne for missions and free-roam activities. It does have a short cooldown (around two minutes) after it's destroyed or sent back to storage. You can also add homing missiles to the Sparrow, turning a quick-travel chopper into a light attack helicopter.
If you want to compare the Sparrow against other choppers and weaponized rides, our GTA Online cheats and tips page is a good companion read.
Which Upgrades Are Worth It
Not every player needs the full $9,000,000 build. A practical priority order looks like this:
- Sparrow: the single most quality-of-life upgrade for the convenient spawn-anywhere helicopter
- Sonar Station: valuable if you plan to chase underwater treasure or track subs
- Guided Missiles: fun and powerful, but the priciest add-on, so add it only if you want the firepower
- Weapon Workshop: lets you upgrade weapons to Mk II forms without traveling to another property
The base Kosatka alone unlocks the heist, so you can buy in cheaply and add upgrades as your bank account grows.
Why the Kosatka Is Essential
Few purchases in GTA Online return their value as reliably as the Kosatka. It unlocks the only fully solo-capable major heist, gives you a relocatable underwater base, and ships with the Sparrow, one of the most convenient vehicles in the game. Even after various balance changes to Cayo Perico payouts over the years, the Cayo Perico submarine continues to be a top recommendation for new and returning players building a steady income.
