Stenka class PC

(USSR)

Notes: These general-purpose patrol craft were built largely for the KGB Border Guard, a maritime force independent of the Soviet navy. The official designation was PSKR, or “border patrol ship”.

Construction began in 1967 and ran through the late 1980s. Originally they carried “Pot Drum” surface search radars, in the early 1980s this changed to the MR-220 “Peel Cone” system. The “Foal Tail” sonar can only be deployed when the ship is at a stop.

A total of 100 Stenka class boats were built for the KGB. Two were scrapped in the 1980s; of the remaining 98; 22 were claimed by ex-Soviet republics in 1991. The KGB maritime squadron ceased to exist after the USSR’s breakup and the 76 Stenka class units transferred to the new Russian coast guard. At this time many of the craft had their tubes removed and sonar deactivated. In the mid-1990s, the boats began to be repainted with the Russian tricolour diagonally on the hull, similar to the USCG’s trademark stripe. Numbers have steadily declined and as of July 2006, 15 remain in use; 4 in the Baltic, 5 in the Black Sea, 1 in the Pacific, and 5 in the Caspian.

6 units, all ex-Soviet, claimed after the USSR’s breakup. One of the six was unserviceable and discarded; of the other five two remain in service, numbers 274 and 374. The sonar, torpedo tubes, and DC racks have all been removed.

4 unnamed new-build units were transferred in November 1987, with the “Peel Cone” radar, but without torpedo tubes, sonar, or DC racks. One was cannibalized for spares; the remaining three were still operational at the time of the UN intervention; during which they were painted white. In the late 1990s a second decommissioned, the surviving pair were named Mondolkirs and Ratanakini; and were rebuilt with a Decca Bridgemaster surface-search radar, a Decca 1226 navigation radar, and a Bofors 40mm single replacing the forward AK230.

3 unnamed new-build units delivered to Cuba in 1985. In 1999 one was scrapped, and by July 2006 the remaining two were non-operational.

10 ex-Soviet units were claimed at the time of the USSR’s breakup, another 6 were doled out later as the Black Sea fleet was divided between Russia and Ukraine. New names are Perekop, Donbis, Mikolaiv, Volin, Zakarpattiya, Zaporizkaya, Sec, Odessa, Bukoniva, Podilliya, Pavel Derzhavin, plus three unnamed units. The torpedo tubes and sonar have been deactivated and/or removed.

Displacement: 211t standard, 253t full Dimensions: 129’3”x26’x’8’2”

Machinery: Diesel-direct: 3 M517 diesels, 3 shafts

Max Speed: 37kts Range: 800NM @ 24kts

Complement: 25 (5 officers, 20 enlisted)

x4 (2 twin) AK-230                  2NM AA/surface

x4 torpedo tubes                    4.5NM sub/surface (often removed/not installed)

x2 DC racks                          Vertical sub (often removed)

MR-220 “Peel Cone” (H/I)        30NM surface (range, bearing) (in later units)

“Pot Drum” (I)                         19NM surface (range, bearing) (in early units)

“Bass Tilt” (I)                          20NM FC for guns (bearing, range)

“Palm Frond” (I)                      15NM navigation (bearing, range)

“Hood Wink” EO                     Visual Horizon (fire control for guns)

“High Pole-A”                          IFF (ID)

“Square Head”                        IFF (ID)

“Foal Tail”                             1NM active (range, bearing, depth)

(often removed)                     1NM passive (bearing, class)