Project 61M-class (Kashin)

Summary

Description

The Soviet Kashin class destroyers, also known as Project 61, were a series of anti-aircraft guided-missile destroyers that served as a significant part of the Soviet Navy's surface fleet since the 1960s. No longer in operation with the Russian Navy as of 2020, three modified ships are still active in the Indian Navy, known as the Rajput-class destroyers.

The origins of these ships date back to the late 1950s when the design was approved, with the objective of creating the first Soviet vessels dedicated to anti-air warfare and equipped to carry an ASW helicopter. The design phase yielded new technological advancements including specific surface-to-air missiles, radars, and gas turbine engines. Notably, the gas turbines were innovatively housed so that they could be serviced externally through the ship's funnels. The ships were also designed with consideration of nuclear fallout, featuring enclosed spaces and an operations room protected deep within the vessel instead of a traditional, exposed bridge.

In terms of armament, the modified Project 61M, also referred to as Kashin-Mod, added significant firepower with four SS-N-2C Styx anti-ship missiles, a new array of towed-sonar, a raised helipad, and four AK-630 Gatling guns for close-range defense. These ships initially had two RBU-1000 ASW rocket launchers mounted aft, which were subsequently removed. Six ships underwent these modernizations in the 1970s.

The operational history of these destroyers saw further upgrades in the 1990s, with one example being the modernization of Smetlivy at Sevastopol, which received new Kh-35 anti-ship missiles and MNK-300 sonar. Upon decommissioning in 2020, Smetlivy was converted into a museum.

In addition to the Soviet fleet, the destroyers had an international footprint, with one vessel serving in the Polish Navy and five commissioned in the Indian Navy as an export version called the Rajput class. These export variants were slightly different, with modifications including a helicopter hangar replacing the aft gun turret and SS-N-2C anti-ship missiles fitted on the sides of the bridge.

Altogether, the Soviet Union constructed a total of twenty ships under this class, and later variations such as Project 61M and Project 61MP were introduced, reflecting incremental improvements in design and capabilities.

Technical specifications