Project 1159-class (Koni)

Summary

Description

The Koni class is a series of Soviet anti-submarine warfare frigates, recognized in the Soviet Union as Project 1159. A total of 14 frigates were built at Zelenodolsk shipyard during the period from 1975 to 1988. Originally conceived as replacements for the older Riga-class frigates, these vessels were instead mostly exported to various allied nations. The design of the Koni class was split into two subclasses to suit different environmental conditions: Koni I for European waters and Koni II for warmer climates. Only one Koni-class ship was kept by the Soviet Union in the Black Sea to help train foreign crews. Conversely, the Romanian Tetal-class corvettes bear similarity to the Koni class.

Regarding the design and armament of these frigates, they were equipped with two AK-726 twin 76 mm gun mountings and two AK-230 twin 30 mm anti-aircraft guns. Some ships were fitted with 4 P-15M Termit anti-ship missile launchers, and all featured depth charge and naval mine racks at the stern. Libyan vessels showcased a unique design with the P-15M missiles placed forward of the bridge. To stay current, these ships were also outfitted with Soviet radar and sonar systems.

The propulsion system used on the Koni class was a 3-shaft CODAG machinery suite identical to that found on the Grisha-class corvettes (Project 1124). This arrangement includes an 18,000 hp gas turbine on the middle shaft and two outer shafts powered by diesel engines producing a combined output of 9,000 hp, which enabled economical cruising.

The operational history of the class includes the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, a Koni II-class frigate that was sunk intentionally near Cayman Brac in 1996 to create a dive site after being purchased from Cuba. The vessel was named after a local figure and now serves as one of the few Soviet Naval vessels sunken in the Western Hemisphere that can be dived. Another former Cuban Navy Koni II-class frigate was sunk in 1998 near Varadero, Cuba, and is referred to as Patrol Boat 383.

The original operators of the Koni class include a diverse set of countries: the Soviet Union (which later transferred its sole ship to Bulgaria), Algeria, Cuba, East Germany (with its vessels inherited by Germany post-unification), Libya, and Yugoslavia. The operational status of these ships varies, with some still in service and undergoing modernization and others having been damaged, repurposed as reefs, or disposed of. The Libyan vessel Al Hani became the flagship of the reorganized Libyan Navy but has been docked in Malta for a refit since 2013.

Technical specifications