Polnocny-class

Summary

Description

The Polnocny-class ships, designed in collaboration with the Soviet Navy and built in Poland, represent a fleet of amphibious warfare vessels that were first constructed starting in 1967. These ships, launched from the Stocznia Północna shipyard in Gdańsk and later also from the Stocznia Marynarki Wojennej in Gdynia, were integral to amphibious forces with 107 units completed by 1986. An additional modernized design, the NS-722, was crafted for Yemen in 2002, illustrating the ongoing legacy of the class.

In defining their mission, the Polnocny-class vessels were largely intended for landing operations, comparable in role to Western tank landing ships. The ships' design encompasses a bow ramp suited for direct beach landings. The C variant of the class is notable for its versatility, capable of transporting a variety of military hardware and personnel, including armored vehicles, main battle tanks, and infantry, as well as provisions and supplies. These vessels stand out for providing substantial fire support to landed troops with their onboard rocket launchers, augmenting their primary transport function with direct combat capabilities.

Armament across the class includes anti-aircraft guns and short-range surface-to-air missiles, ensuring that the ships can defend themselves and their cargo from aerial threats. Several sub-types of the class exist, differentiated by size and capacity, including the Polnocny-A, -B, -C, modified -C, and -D, as well as the later NS-722 class. The -D and NS-722 variants extend the capability of the class by including a helicopter platform.

The operational history of the Polnocny class is marked by extensive service within the Soviet amphibious arsenal, making them a staple of force projection. However, with military technology advances and the advent of hovercraft, their role within the Russian Navy diminished, leading to fewer active units today.

Globally, these ships remain in active service across several nations, including Angola, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Egypt, India, Libya, Syria, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Yemen.

Technical specifications