(USSR)

Notes: This cheap, simple patrol boat class was designed for easy mass-production and economical use. They are useful for only the most basic harbour patrol and general mission duties. The machine gun turrets are not linked to any fire control system and are operated manually and locally. Electronics are limited to a 12-channel HF radio and one simple radar.

Displacement: 39t standard, 48t full Dimensions: 78’7”x16’4”x3’9”

Machinery: Diesel-direct: 2 Type M401B diesels, 2 shafts Max speed: 30kts

Range: 1000NM @ 15kts Complement: 11 (3 officers, 8 enlisted)

x4 (2 twin) 12.7mm/79 1NM AA/surface

Mius (“Spin Trough”) (I) surface search/navigation; 44NM max, 25NM typical (range, bearing)

Exact numbers used by the USSR/Russia are hard to determine, as the Zhuk was in active production from 1970 through 1996. Many were transferred abroad and others in Soviet service were scrapped and replaced by new-build units. It’s thought that about 130 were built throughout the design’s life. In 1995 about three dozen remained in use, by 2007 this had fallen to roughly 15-20. In Soviet use, Zhuks were mostly manned by the KGB Maritime Guard; when this was abolished in 1991 the survivors were taken over by the Russian Federal Coast Guard and repainted with blue hulls and a diagonal stripe. Most have now had the aft gun removed.

One single unit was transferred in 1981; the Algerians apparently did not like the Zhuk as it was soon discarded.

It is possible that the Azeri navy operated a single ex-Soviet Zhuk in the early 1990s.

Four units were transferred in 1978. Due to Benin’s narrow coastline one boat could patrol the entire national waters in a few hours. By 1985 they were largely inoperable; as late as 2000 they were still technically “in commission” but non-operational. In 2004 the USCG transferred surplus small craft to the Beninese navy to replace them.

Three units were transferred by the USSR in 1985 and a fourth re-transferred from Vietnam in 1988. They are still operational and mostly used for riverine patrols. During the end of the Cambodian civil war, they were taken over by UN observers and painted bright white; they are now back to a normal naval colour scheme.

Three units were transferred by the USSR in 1980, by 1995 only one was still operational and it is thought that none now are.

Three units were transferred by the USSR in 1982, hull numbers 301, 302, 303. An additional three were ordered in 1984 but never delivered. They are no longer operational.

A total of 40 units were transferred between mid-1971 and December 1989, however usually only 30-35 were operational at once. By 1995, only 27 were operational and by 2007 only a dozen or so. The Cuban Zhuks are operated by the Ministry Of The Interior and wear red hull numbers, as opposed to the navy’s white. In some units, the after gun is deleted (similar to some Soviet Zhuks).

Three units were transferred by the USSR in 1975, they quickly fell into disrepair and were scrapped in 1988-1989.

Two Zhuks were left behind by departing Soviet forces in 1990 and formally commissioned into the Estonian navy in early 1992. By 1996 they were replaced by Finnish and Swedish craft and scrapped.

Two units were transferred in 1982 via the lift-ship Fizik Korchatov, a second batch of two came in 1990. Two were destroyed by Eritrean rebels in 1991, the survivors (hull numbers P-206 and P-207) fled first to Yemen and later to Djibouti, where they were scrapped in 1995.

Two units were transferred from the USSR in July 1987 after being extensively refurbished. Both are still marginally operational.

Five units transferred in late 1975.

Combat usage: All five took some part in the 1980-88 war with Iran but were mostly relegated to security tasks. During the 1990 conquest of Kuwait, they took part in the attack on Kuwait City. Once Desert Storm started they were hunted down: one was sunk by a USN A-6E Intruder, and two others by RN Sea Lynx helicopters firing Sea Skua missiles. The two survivors were damaged and never repaired; they were sunk in 2003 by US aircraft.

Two ex-Soviet units were transferred in January 1990, they are named Rescuer and Retriever and as of January 2007, both still highly operational; in excellent condition. A civilian GPS reciever has been added; reportedly the “Spin Trough” radar has also been replaced by a western model.

Five units were transferred between 1978 and 1980; two were sunk during the civil war and the rest decommissioned in 1993.

Eight units were transferred in 1986, two of these sunk in an October 1989 hurricane and were replaced by an additional two boats. By 1994 only three were operational and by 2000 all were gone. The Nicaraguan boats were numbered in the 3xx series.

Two units, named Constant and Fortune, were supplied by the USSR in 1982. They are both still operational and have had the “Spin Trough” replaced by a Furuno radar.

Only one Zhuk was supplied to Somalia, it was sunk pierside during the 1991 civil war.

Eight units were transferred throughout 1981-1988; they are numbered 1 - 8 and still operational, home ported at Tartous.

Fourteen units were transferred between 1978 and 1990; one was re-transferred to Cambodia and three decommissioned in 1993. The remaining ten are thought to have been decommissioned by 2007.

Five units were transferred in the late 1970s and early 1980s; when the Yemens reunited they rolled into the unified navy.

YEMEN, SOUTH and YEMEN

Two units were transferred in 1975; when the Yemens reunited they rolled into the unified navy. Of the combined seven units, two decommissioned in 1990 and one in 1992; the surviving four (numbers 202, 203, 303, and 304) had a Decca 1226 radar added in addition to the “Spin Trough” and also a bridle on the aft deck for a 55gal fuel drum. In 2006 they were replaced by new-build patrol boats from Australia.