All T1 Submarines feature the standard torpedoes for their faction. All Four factions have one and all four have their perks and advantages. All four fire salvos of torpedoes every four seconds, for a total of 150 damage. Three of the four have a deck gun for use while surfaced (the exception being the Aeon Sylph) which can outrange any other t1 surface weapon, though weaker than the cannons of frigates.
UEF Tigershark: The Tiger Shark is the toughest of the four subs. Having a whole 600 HP. With a torpedo DPS of 38 and a cannon DPS of 25 the Tiger shark is decent. It fires salvos of two torpedoes doing 75 damage each. Its plasma cannon is useful on weakened units and hover units.
Cybran Sliver: Firing salvos of three torpedoes, and mounting a light laser, the Cybran submarine is a middle of the road unit. It has a marked advantage against anti-torpedo defenses--which it will likely encounter on Seraphim attack subs and Aeon frigates-- as it fires more torpedoes than its counterparts. It also has more HP than the Seraphim. It does less damage though when surfaced than the UEF submarine.
Aeon Sylph: The Sylph holds true to Aeon design and is useless against anything other than ships. It only features the second highest health and Torpedoes, which are equal to the other factions in DPS. Thus it gains no advantage other than comfort that it will never surface. It is basically a weaker but equally expensive version of the UEF tigershark, as it lacks a surface gun and has less hp. However, it does have more hp than it's cybran and seraphim counterparts.
Seraphim Sou-istle: Being the lightest sub, the Sou-istle is somewhat lacking in HP. It does however have the most goodies. It features a Torpedo launcher identical to that of the UEF and Aeon. It also has a deck gun that is the middle ground between the UEF and Cybran submarines. It's biggest perk is an anti-torpedo charge. It does not fire fast enough though to give it a real advantage. It is still useful in naval engagements nonetheless.
Note that the mass costs are doubled in the Forged Alliance campaign (compared to those listed here), which makes them a pretty poor investment in that environment relative to just about any other naval unit.