Riga-class

Summary

Description

The Riga class, as designated by NATO, refers to a series of frigates constructed for the Soviet Navy during the 1950s. In Soviet terms, these were known as Storozhevoi Korabl Project 50 Gornostay, translating to "escort ship" and bearing the name of the Ermine stoat. These vessels held a resemblance to the World War II era destroyer escorts in terms of their mission.

Designed as a simpler alternative to the larger Kola class, the Riga class ships were prompted by Joseph Stalin's concerns about the cost of big naval units. They were the first to bring high pressure steam turbines and newer radars into the Soviet naval fleet. Protective measures included 8mm thick armor coverage for vital areas such as the bridge, gun turrets, and magazines. Their primary armament was made up of three single-mount, dual-purpose 100mm guns equipped with remote power control, supported by a single Yakor type fire control director. The propulsion system consisted of two TV-9 steam turbines and two boilers, which initially faced reliability issues. Modernization efforts in the late 1950s and early 1960s under Project 50 A saw the addition of anti-submarine rocket launchers, updated radar, and permanent ballast to enhance stability.

Production of these frigates took place across three shipyards in the Soviet Union—with Nikolayev, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and Kaliningrad contributing a combined total of 68 ships. Although most ships were retired by the 1980s, some went on to serve in other navies after being sold, particularly to China. The construction program was truncated by Nikita Khrushchev in 1956 due to their rapid obsolescence, with the final ship being completed in 1959.

The Riga class found service beyond the Soviet domain. Bulgaria, the People's Republic of China, Finland, East Germany, and Indonesia were among the nations that operated these frigates. While Bulgaria's navy utilized three vessels before decommissioning them in 1990, China built four in a kit form for local assembly, later producing their own modified variants. Finland acquired two ships that served until the mid-80s, and East Germany had four in service. Indonesia's fleet included eight Riga class ships transferred between 1962 and 1964, with their operational lifespan concluding by 1986.

Technical specifications