Petya-class

Summary

Description

The Petya class, known to the Soviet Navy as Project 159 "Storozhevoi Korabl" (Sentry Ship), is a class of light frigates developed in the 1950s and constructed during the 1960s. This fleet was the Soviet Navy's first to be powered by gas turbines, designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare in littoral zones, akin to their contemporary Mirka-class frigates. The design phase commenced following the 1955 specification release and concluded with approval in 1956. Petya-class ships had a unique three-shaft machinery configuration, with the central diesel-engine-powered shaft for cruising and two outer gas turbine-powered shafts for high-speed pursuits.

The armament of these vessels featured dual AK-726 76 mm gun turrets situated at the "A" and "Y" positions, managed by a singular radar director. Anti-submarine capabilities were robust, consisting of four RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers and a unit for 406 mm anti-submarine torpedoes. Export versions of the ships saw the substitution of the 406 mm tubes with larger, 533 mm anti-shipping torpedo tubes. The ships also came equipped with an extensive suite of sonar equipment, inclusive of Variable Depth Sonar (VDS).

Over the course of their operational history, a total of 54 Petya-class ships were constructed across two shipyards—22 at Kaliningrad's Yantar shipyard, including those for export, and 32 at Khabarovsk yard, again inclusive of export vessels. The Soviet fleet of Petya-class ships was decommissioned between 1989 and 1992, though some continue to serve in other nations' navies. As of 2023, Vietnam operates five ships with modernized stealth superstructures and revamped combat systems, while Azerbaijan maintains one active ship.

The Petya class has been part of several navies worldwide. The Egyptian Navy acquired four ships, with one lost in combat and the rest subsequently decommissioned. Ethiopia's four-ship fleet was eventually scrapped in Djibouti following Eritrea's independence. India's fleet, designated as Arnala-class corvettes due to their size and role, was entirely decommissioned. The Syrian Navy's two vessels fell into disrepair; one was sunk by the Russian Air Force and the status of the second is uncertain. Ukraine independently operated a single frigate post-secession from the Soviet Black Sea Fleet before decommissioning it in 1993.

Technical specifications