Petya-class frigate

A Petya-class frigate of the Soviet Navy in 1983
Class overview
NamePetya class (Project 159)
Operators
Preceded byRiga class
Succeeded byMirka class
SubclassesArnala-class corvettes
Completed54
Active6
Laid up1 (uncertain)
Retired48
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Displacement
  • 950 tons (standard)
  • 1,150 tons (full load)
Length81.8 m (268 ft 4 in)
Beam9.2 m (30 ft 2 in)
Draught2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
Propulsion
  • 2 shaft CODAG
  • 2 gas turbines - 30,000 hp (22,000 kW)
  • 1 diesel - 6,000 hp (4,500 kW)
Speed30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Range
  • 4,870 nautical miles (9,020 km; 5,600 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
  • 450 nautical miles (830 km; 520 mi) at 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement90
Sensors &
processing systems
  • Radar Don-2
  • Slim Net
  • Hawk Screech
  • Sonar - Herkules hull mounted & dipping sonar
Armament
  • 4 76 mm (3 in) guns (2x2)
  • 4 RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers (2 in some ships)
  • 5 406 mm (16 in) anti-submarine torpedo tubes (10 tubes in some ships)
  • export version had 1x3 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes

The Petya class was the NATO reporting name for a class of light frigates designed in the 1950s and built for the Soviet Navy in the 1960s. The Soviet designation was "Storozhevoi Korabl`" (Сторожевой Корабль - Sentry Ship) Project 159.

Design

They were the first gas turbine-powered ships in the Soviet Navy. The role of these ships was anti-submarine warfare in shallow waters and they were similar to the Mirka-class frigates. The specification (TTZ in Russian) was issued in 1955 and design approved in 1956. A three shaft machinery layout was chosen with the central shaft powered by diesel engines for economical cruising and the two wing shafts powered by gas turbines for speed. Gun armament was two twin AK-726 76 mm (3 in) gun turrets in "A" and "Y" positions which were controlled by a single radar director. Anti-submarine armament consisted of four RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers and a launcher for 406 mm (16 in) anti-submarine torpedoes. Some of the ships designed for export replaced the 406 mm torpedo tubes with anti-shipping 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes. A comprehensive sonar suite including VDS was fitted.[citation needed]

Ships

Upgraded Petya class corvette VPNS-17 of Vietnam during the International Fleet Review 2026

A total of 54 ships were built in two shipyards: the Kaliningrad Yantar shipyard built 22 ships including exports and Khabarovsk yard built 32 ships including exports. All Soviet ships were decommissioned in 1989-1992, with other ships continuing service with export customers. As of 2023, Vietnam and Azerbaijan still operate the type, with Vietnam operating five ships and Azerbaijan operating a single ship.[citation needed]

Export sales

See also

Equivalent frigates of the same era

References

  1. ↑ "Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's | IHS". Articles.janes.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
  2. ↑ "Guard Ships - Project 159". Archived from the original on 2017-08-10. Retrieved 2015-04-20.
  3. ↑ Oryx. "Photo Report: The Syrian Arab Navy". Oryx Blog. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
  4. ↑ Marjanović, Marko (2018-04-26). "Russian Navy Hit and Sank a Decommissioned Frigate in Syria Live Fire Drills (VIDEO)". Anti-Empire. Retrieved 2021-08-13.