Kotor-class

Summary

Description

The Kotor class frigates, comprised of two light frigates built for the Yugoslav Navy, were crafted during the 1980s at the Kraljevica Shipyard, located in what was then SR Croatia. Born out of a need to extend naval operations beyond coastal waters and to replace the dated destroyers, the Yugoslav Navy initiated the development of this class in the late 1970s. The design process concluded in 1982 at the Zagreb Naval Institute, which derived its conception from the hull of the Soviet Koni-class anti-submarine warfare frigate but with a modified superstructure and an adaptation that saw the SS-N-2 anti-ship missiles being placed at the forward part of the ships.

These frigates were fundamentally armed for a variety of operations. Their main offensive armament included ship-to-ship missiles, specifically the P-21 or P-22 (known by NATO as SS-N-2 Styx), capable of engaging targets within an 8 to 80 km range at a speed of Mach 0.9. Defensive capabilities were provided by the OSA-M missile systems (SA-N-4 Gecko by NATO standards) for air defense, and two rocket twelve-barreled depth charge launchers RBU-6000 for anti-submarine warfare. Additionally, they housed artillery weapons, including twin universal automatic AK-726 cannons and two 30mm AK-230 cannons for surface threats. The frigates also boasted a bevy of sensors for target detection and tracking, radars for navigation and missile management, active sonar and a range of decoy systems to counteract anti-ship missiles. They operated on a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion system, mainly relying on diesel engines but supported by a gas turbine for additional speed during combat scenarios.

The operational history of the Kotor class reflected the geopolitical changes in the region. Initially joining the Yugoslav Navy fleet in the late 1980s, the ships—P-33 Kotor and P-34 Pula—were later recommissioned with the FR Yugoslav Navy of Serbia and Montenegro following the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Post-2006, the ships fell under Montenegro's jurisdiction after the separation of Serbia and Montenegro. Although discussions for selling the vessels arose in 2018, as of September 2019, both frigates were active in the Montenegrin Navy, serving in an offshore patrol vessel capacity from the naval base in Bar. They participated in various exercises, showcasing interoperability with other nations' navies, such as Italy, the United States, France, Germany, and Turkey. However, by the end of 2019, both ships were retired from active service and listed for sale.

Technical specifications