Tarantul Class Corvette

The Pr.1241 “Lightning” were 80 large missile cutters in Soviet classification, “Tarantul class” corvettes in NATO classification, initially built 1979-1984 for the Soviet Navy, and also massively for export afterwards. They were designed to replace the Project 205M Tsunami missile cutter (NATO: Osa-class). They were also declined into the Pauk and Veer class corvette. A new and updated variant of the class known as Project 12418 is scheduled to enter service c2026 so it lineage after 40 years is not over. These ships are not successors of the Nanuchka class as often seen.

Development of Project 1241

Zarechny as preserved in 1988

In the late 1970s, it was realized that the OSA class fast attack craft (missile) were more valuable than the tiny Komar for coastal defence, but the Navy also needed a larger, more seaworthy vessel with better artillery and better, more powerful air search radars to be more useful than only for anti-ship defence. The Project 1241 Molnya (Tarantul class) was born from this development, sporting a gunboat armament initially with a a single forward dual purpose 76 mm (3 in) main gun and two 30 mm (1.2 in) CIWS for air and missile defence, together with a comprehensive electronic warfare suite. They were designed from the start as modular, and indeed they were declined in all sorts of weapon arrangements, with extra anti-ship or anti-air and ASW systems and following sensors.

With the introduction of new vessels armed with a dual purpose 76mm gun with short and medium-range anti-ship missiles such as the Exocet, Oto Melara and Harpoon in NATO service in the late 1960s, the Soviet admiralty estimated that its Project 205 (OSA) Fast Attack Craft (missiles) would have a hard time surviving. To improve combat effectiveness of FAC/M formations and to ensure that they could strike the enemy from distances exceeding their own electronic range, it was decided to develop a new-generation of missile ships combining, still for coastal operations and smaller than their NATO counterparts. Thus, Design of Project 1241R “small missile ship” started in 1969, at the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau, under the direction of E. I. Yukhnin and later V. N. Ustinov with Navy’s chief observer Captain 1st Rank Yu. M. Osipov, then Captain 2nd Rank V. I. Litovsky.

According to the TTZ (tactical and technical requirements), Project 1241 were intended to destroy enemy warships as well as transports and landing craft, as well enhancing the air defense of ships formations, fellow transports, missile and torpedo crafts against low-flying air attacks as well as provide cover for these groups against light forces. Tactically they were intended to cooperate with Project 205 (OSA class) boats, providing them cover against NATO 76mm armed missile frigates and corvettes. To this end, the new ship would have a speed sufficient to keep up the former OSA I and II class boats.

Guided by these requirements, the Soviet Navy in 1971 received the first preliminary designed from the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau. They showcased a full displacement of no more than 500 tons, a main missile system made of four P-270 Moskit (NATO SS-N-22 Sunburn) anti-ship missiles then in development (in service from 1984). Designers placed particular emphasis on the use of a multifunctional and compact radar system (RLK) to manage all the ship’s weapons systems. The first version had a Graviy-M radar system, already having met its trials, the second had the Monolith radar system still under development. Ultimately, the latter was chosen as unlike the Graviy-M it had USBD modes, target designation channels by working with the existing from the Uspekh-U system.

The new ships like the Nanuchka class corvettes, were fitted with the same compact Osa-M SAM, but later to preserve stability within full displacement limits and 40-knot it was deleted. For coastal air defense protection this was entrusted instead to Soviet naval aviation and this was removed from its TTZ. The project changed also designation, from “small missile ships” to “large missile ships”. In 1973, a Resolution was issued to fund final development of a new ship armed with the Moskit missile, improved characteristics, self-defense systems, and electronic warfare systems, plus improved habitability, increased autonomy and seaworthiness. Project 1241 was planned with a more coherent central combat system and under the rules of inter-project unification development of the missile, ASW weapons and sensors as well as patrol functions into a single hull usable for the Soviet Navy and Export as well. This inner modularity was essential to the project as this would allow a great deal of modularity and in the future, many variants, both domestic and for export of Project 1241 with a common hull and powerplant. This was the chief designer’s proposal for standardization, however his original ideas were even more radical and never implemented.
He later expressed his frustration:

Projects 12411 (missile) and 12412 (anti-submarine) ended up with not only different armaments, but also different powertrains and hulls. Moreover, one was called a “boat,” the other a “ship.” For this reason, the border guard variant also effectively failed as it just replicated the anti-submarine design.

Construction

Construction was awarded to the Petrovsky yard in St. Petersburg for the lead and for the Baltic, Black sea and Arctic , Rybinsk and Ulis yard in Vladivostok for the Pacific Fleet. A version for coastal anti-submarine warfare and patrol was developed as the Pauk-class corvette (Project 1241.2)- see below. The Indian Navy also was interested by the design and paid $30 million for license-produce the “Tarantul-I” in the early 1990s. The design, despite initial opposition by some, revealed itself quitean export success with over 30 export sales. It was overall a success for the Russian shipbuilding industry.

Construction of the lead ships was entrusted to the Almaz Production Association which undertook final development of the Project 12411-T and 12411-M missile ships in 1979 simultaneously, and proceeded at the three Soviet shipyards signalled above. By the end of 1991, no les than forty-one had been built for the Soviet Navy alone:
-Twelve Project 12411-T boats (4 each by Primorsky, Khabarovsk, Sredne-Nevsky Shipyards)
-Thirty-one Project 12411 missile ships (17 from Khabarovsk Shipyard, 13 from Sredne-Nevsky)
-A single Project 12417 boat (Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard).
By 1991, as the USSR collapsed, six more Project 12411 boats were under construction. Completion rates ranged from 28% to 93%. They were scheduled for completion by 1996. One Project 12411-T already under construction wa sinstead converted as a Project 12417 with the Kortik SAM system instead of the CIWS 30mm, and a MR-352 Pozitiv air target acquisition radar.

Project 1241RE for export to the sphere of socialist countries, started at factories in Rybinsk and Yaroslavl. A total of twenty-two were built, five each for East Germany and India, four to Poland, three for Romania, two for Bulgaria and Yemen, one for Vietnam (see below). Three Project 1241RE boats were added to this, integrated in the Soviet Navy as training ships, for foreign crews before delivery. One incomplete Project 12421 was also built for export. In addition, India acquired a license for the ship (local name Veer class), at Bombay and Goa shipyards, vastly extending the numbe rof vessels and timeframe. This is why the “Tarantul” si still with use today and the stiry is not over. The ship sparked new versions over time, even in today’s Russia with new projects.

Design of the class

Hull and general design

The Tarantul have a flush-deck hull, all steel, bulky and buoyant with a squat transom poop and fine lines forward with a slight sheer and composite shapes. The hull has ASW protection and rigidity, being sub-divided into eight watertight bulkheads making for nine compartments. Its superstructure excluding gas deflectors, only made of light alloys, will less risk towards fire commpared to aluminium. That was the goal. The powerplant was located in two adjacent compartments aft section. The ship was infinitely larger than an OSA class FAC. Displacement was 480 long tons (488 t) standard, and 540 long tons (549 t) full load.

The Tarantul has a hull length of 56.1 meters overall (183 ft 9 in) and beam of 10.2 m (34 ft 5 in), draft of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) and 2.3 m for the export versions Project 1241RE. Propeller draft, full, was 3.60 m and operational draft for Project 12421 ships was 2.55 m. The displacement varied slightly all within 500 tons between versions. Its hull height midships was 5.31 m. For comparison the Osa I class displaced 171/209 tonnes and measured 38 meters for a beam of 7.64 meters. So the hull ratio of the Tarantul was 5.6 versus 5 for the Osa class. Again, these were completely different ships from the Nanuchka, the latter being unstable and over-armed.

Powerplant

Propulsion was modern, COGOG (COmbined Gas Or Gas) like many NATO ships. It consisted of two M70 high power gas turbines rated at 12,000 hp (8,900 kW) for a combined output of 24,200 hp (18,000 kW) for full power and speed. This was completed by two cruise gas turbines M75 with a combined output of 5,000 hp (3,700 kW). Top speed thus is 38 knots (70 km/h; 44 mph), sa an OSA I but less than the OSA-II (42 knots (78 km/h). The variant has two shaft COGAG with two steam turbines for a rating of 11,000 hp (8,200 kW) each, plus 2 cruising engines rated for 4,000 hp (3,000 kW) each so there were diesel and turbine versions of the cruising engines. In that case, top dpeed could reach up to 42 knots (78 km/h; 48 mph) and range 2,400 nmi (4,400 km; 2,800 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), but an operational autonomy of 10 days.

Due to delays in development of a CODOG propulsion plant the first Project 1241.1, 1241RE, and 12417 ships had two shaft with M-15 gas-turbines and their gear unit consisting of two M-70 afterburning turbines rated for 12,000 hp each, two M-75 cruise turbines rated for 5,000 hp each plus four reduction gears. This implied greater efficiency, but degraded control at low speeds and, especially, when mooring. Each of these main engines drive their own fixed-pitch propeller. On the gas-turbine alone they could reach 42 knots, 13 knots when cruising. Cruising range was at full speed (42 kts) of 760 nautical miles (1,400 km), then 1,400 nautical miles (2,600 km) on the cruising turbines.

The Project 12411, 12418, and 12421 ships had instead a two-shaft diesel-gas turbine arrangement with two M-70 afterburning turbines rated for 12,000 hp each and two M-510 cruise diesels rated for 4,000 hp (each diesel unit having a M-504 diesel coupled with a 2-speed gearbox and torque converter). Each turbine drives its own fixed-pitch propeller. Top speed is 41 knots, cruise speed is 14 knots. Range is 400 nautical miles (740 km) at 36 knots, 1,600 nautical miles (2,960 km) at cruise speed, and 2,400 nautical miles (4,445 km) at 12 knots. As a backup all ships had two DG-200 diesel generators rated for 200 kW each, plus one DGR-75 diesel generator rated for 100 kW.

The rudder and propeller unit was made of two 3-bladed fixed-pitch propellers. The bow has an electro-hydraulic capstan for the anchor chain, and for mooring the bow. The poop deck houses an electromechanical capstan for mooring that section with four mooring reels total. For the crew’s safety, there are five life rafts, three located on the roof of the superstructure aft, between the AK-630 CIWS, and two forward of the wheelhouse. The seaworthiness was calculated for reduced speeds in sea states down to 7-8.

Internal Arrangements

The crew consists of 41 officers and men, but 40 on Project 12411 ship. Generally made of five officers, including the commander, which had his own double cabin located on the first tier of the superstructure, under the wheelhouse, port side. The remaining officers were berthed in four double cabins on either side. Sailors lived in three quarters, located below the main deck, bow, with forward quarters having each seven double berths located forward of the AK-176 CIWS ammunition shaft, the other two were smaller and located either side, aft and close to the AK-176 gun mount ammunition shaft. The mess hall measured 5 x 4 meters, located on the main deck, near the poop. Endurance is 10 days with storerooms located on the main deck near the forecastle. Sailors’ quarters also have lockers for storing provisions and eat in various departments withjout the need to reaching the mess in case of emergency. There is a fresh water tank under the AK-176 AU ammunition shaft as well with tap water sinks at several locations and two sanitary spaces, and one small medical room.

Armament

Anti-Ship Options

P-15 Termit/SS-N-2 Styx

The Project 12411-T had the backup, early configuration as planned with four P-15 Termit (SS-N-2) anti-ship cruise missiles. Needless to say they were completely obsolete by late 1980s standards.

P-270 Moskit/SS-N-22 Sunburn

Project 12411-M ships had instead the intended and far better P-270 Moskit, housed in two twin KT-152 launchers with tubular containers, one above the other. The missiles are housed on the upper deck on each side, in two twin, non-guided, unstabilized, unarmored, undamped container-type launchers. They are fixed in elevation but their axes are at an angle to the centerline. Fire deflectors are located behind to protect the structure and deck.

Anti-Aicraft Options:

SA-N-5 SAM MANPADS

To partially compensate for the absence of the initially planned OSA SAM system, the Strela-3 short-range self-defense anti-aircraft missile system was decided, a MANPAD, so very short range and man-operated, with 16 SAMs.
The option is the Igla, also with 16 missiles. In both cases, it is mounted at the stern on a stabilized naval pedestal mount, with four launchers.

Artillery

76 mm AK-176

Project 1241 were itened to have a significant gun from the start, and the choice fell on the single-barrel automatic 76/59 gun mount in an AK-176 turret at the bow, the upper deck. 152 rounds of ammunition are carried. The turret protected is two operators (Gunner, commander) with 4 mm of AMg-61 aluminum-magnesium alloy. The crew amounts to four in manual ammunition handling mode which is otherwise automated, except for the rounds coming from below stores. Its mass is 10.45 tons.

AK-630 30 mm gun

The ships were als planned from the start with two six-barreled 30/54mm AK-630M CIWS. These trusted weapons able to engage incoming missiles, comes with two 2,000-round belt magazines and a spare 1,000-round belt eache mounted on the aft superstructure. Their weight without ammunition and spare parts is 1.85 tons. Total with all parts and its control system amounted to 9,114 kg. Their firing range is 4,000 m. In normal burst mode, they fire 4-5 bursts of 20-25 rounds from max range. To be more effective at range, bursts of 400 rounds with a 3-5 second interval between bursts are used.

Optional (exports and others)

Kh-35 Uran/SS-N-25 Switchblade

A 2003 missile deployed notably on the Vietnamese Tarantul. Versatile beat of burden Surface-to-surface, Cruise, Anti-ship and Land-attack missile.
Mass 610 kg (1,340 lb), 440 cm (173 in) long x 42 cm (16.5 in) and a wingspan of 133 cm (52.4 in).
Warhead HE: 145 kg (320 lb) fragmentation shaped charge.
Engine: R95TP-300 Turbofan, kerosene 360 kgf
range 130 km (70 nmi), 10-15 m alt., 4 m terminal area at Mach 0.8 Mach 0.85 (609 mph; 980 km/h)
Inertial guidance and ARGS-35E X-band terminal active radar homing

BrahMos

First Indian cruise missile (PJ-10) and major program of the Indian military, introduced in 2007.
Specs: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb), 8.4 m (28 ft) x 0.6 m (2.0 ft). Warhead 200–300 kg (440–660 lb) nuclear conventional semi-armour-piercing warhead.
Engine 1st Stage Solid rocket booster, 2nd Stage liquid rocket ramjet (Solid fuel/Liquid fuel)
Range 800–900 km (500–560 mi). Ceiling 15 km (49,000 ft), flying at 3-10m at Mach 3 (3,700 km/h; 2,300 mph; 1.0 km/s)
Guidance: Mid-course: INS + multi-GNSS, terminal: ARH, accuracy 1 m CEP (if nuclear).

CADS-N-1 Kashtan CIWS

Also called Kortik. The Artillery complex (ZRAK) “Kortik” (NATO CADS-N-1) has a radar and TV optical modes and full automation from detection to destruction. There are two 30-mm six-barreled AO-18 antimissile superfast autocannons (rate of fire of 10,000 tpm) completed for short range by two four two-stage 9M311 (SA-N-11) missiles with fragmentation-rod warhead and proximity fuse. There are 32 missiles in the compartment in launch container, capable of hitting anti-ship missiles, guided bombs, small aircraft, and helicopters.

The missiles are unified with the 2S6 Tunguska land system. Its Kashtan control system consists of radar and TV systems interconnected, using IA. The whole process from detection to illumination, and fire is fully automated and can use both the missiles (larger bubble) and fall back to cannons closer. The missiles had a range from 1.5-8 km, completed by artillery at the lower bubble, 1,500 down to 50 m. Max ceiling is 4,000 m. Four others systems are located in the aft superstructure for six total on Peter the Great.

Sensors

Combat System

Radar and Targeting Systems comprised systems for Active and passive target acquisition, target designation and data transmission to the command and control (C2) system. This includes navigation data and joint combat operations management. All these tasks are performed by the performed by the Monolith-T integrated electronic system. This is a modernized version of the Titanit system, located on the roof of the bridge, under a large radom fairing for the active array. The first ships, including R-5 and all export versions lacked the sensitive Monolith targeting system. Instead they had the “Harpoon” radar (export: Harpoon-E).

Fire control

Project 12411-T started to be equipped with the Monolith radar system, using the Korall fire control derived from the Termit missile targeting system.
The MR-123/176 Vympel artillery fire control radar is mounted the superstructure, near the mast.

EW

Electronic Intel and Warfare Equipment relies on the Vympel-R2 electronic warfare system, deploying active electronic jamming. For electronic warfare purposes, each ship sports two PK-16, sixteen-barrel, remotely controlled chaff launchers for passive jamming. These 82-mm rockets are loaded eother with chaff or heat flares depending on the threat. The load is 128 82mm shells. The PK-16 launchers are mounted on each side on the aft upper deck.

In option they could also receive up to four PK-10 launchers, with bases planned in the aft section close to the engine room air ventilation shafts, between the superstructure and the AK-630M gun battery as well as between the bridge and AK-176 gun.
During mid-life repairs, the Spektr-F laser warning system sensors were installed on the superstructure.
Identification (IFF) Parol-3 station is installed on the Project 12411-M and 1241RE ships. On Project 12411-M, the antenna is located in the forward superstructure, in front of the mast, below the Vympel radar. On the 1241RE it is directly on top of the foremast, behind the Garpun-E radar.
In addition, all Tarantul class receives the GKU-1 gyrocompass, AP-5 automatic course plotter, NEL-M-3B echo sounder and EL-1 log.

NATO Spin trough

Surface search and navigation radar. Initial operational capability (IOC) was reached in 1965. Navigation system on Project 12411-T consists of the Kivach-2 radar which antenna is located above the bridge. On Project 12411-M this is the Pechora radar which antenna is located in the middle of the superstructure, forward of the Vympel radar.

Bass Tilt

MR-123 Vympel, fire-control radar to direct the AK-176 76mm and 30-mm AK-230 gun systems. It can control up to two guns, weighing in 3,300 lb (1,500 kg) for a diameter of 4 ft 11 in (1.5 m) and a length of 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m). Peak power output is 200 kW. It scans at a rate of 15 rpm.

Peel pair

Seems to be only used on some export Tarantul, as it’s reserved to the Nanuchka class vessels. Naval surface search and navigation radar with two orange-peel paraboloid antennas mounted back-to-back on a pedestal. IOC in late 1960s. I-J (8-10 GHz) bands, range: destroyer at 24 nm (27.6 mi; 44.42 km).

Pop group

Naval fire-control radar for the SA-N-4 SAM system or assimilated MANPAD, similar to the ground-based Land Roll of the SA-8 Gecko SAM and counts three antennas. A top-mounted 2.0-m (6.1-ft) large truncated paraboloid antenna rotating independently of the lower assembly for target search. Two inverse Cassegrain antennas on the front below are for target designation (beam riding).

⚙ specifications
Displacement	480 long tons (488 t) standard, 540 long tons (549 t) full load
Dimensions	56 x 10.5 x 2.5m (183 ft 9 in x 34 ft 5 in x 8 ft 2 in)
Propulsion	2 shaft COGAG turbines, 2 cruising engines 14,000 hp
Speed	42 knots (78 km/h; 48 mph)
Range	2,400 nmi (4,400 km; 2,800 mi) at 12 knots, 10 days autonomy
Armament	4× P-15 Termit/4× P-270 Moskit/16 × Kh-35, SA-N-5, 76 mm AK-176, 2x AK-630 30 mm
Sensors	Spin trough, Bass Tilt, Peel pair, Pop group
Crew	50

Variants

Project 1241.1 (NATO: Tarantul-II)

Production from 1979 to 1984, 13 delivered.
Naming convention for NATO, Tarantul is problematic when Tarantul-II is the first chornolofgically but it has this suffix given its better sensor suite/equipment than the following Tarantul-I downgraded for export. This first version was based on the Pauk-class hull but with greater weight. Four SS-N-2 ‘Styx’ A/S missiles (40 km, 25 mi range P-15 Termit then P-20 with 80 km/50 mi range) with the associated ‘Plank Shave’ radar targeting system (range 45 km/28 mi in active mode, 75–100 km/47–62 mi passive) doubling for air surveillance. These has a single AK–176 76.2 mm main gun, two AK-630 30 mm six-barreled Gatling style CIWS assisted by the ‘Bass Tilt’ targeting radar. This was completed with a SAM system, the Fasta-N SA-N-5 quadruple launcher. EW defence counted two PK-16 decoy launchers. Propulsion COGOG system as seen above. R-55 rebuilt after completion as test vessel for the Kortik short-range defense system (Project 1241.7).

Project 1241.RE (NATO: Tarantul-I)

Production from 1977 to 1979: 22 ships for export
NATO Project 1241.RE is Tarantul-I , chro,nologically it arrived later but was downgraded, with the “E” signalling it was the export version of Project 1241.1. It lacks the fire control radar on the bridge roof, replaced by the X-band “Garpun-Bal” (NATO Plank Shave) for its anti-ship missiles on top of the mast. There is also the small navigation radar type “Kivach-2” on the bridge roof or alternatively the MR-312 “Pechera-1” for Poland. The gun-fire control radar MR-123 Vympel (NATO “Bass Tilt”) is also located at the foot of the mast. Two PK-16 decoy launchers are installed. Missiles installed are the P-20 (SS-N-2B) with a 40 km range.R-26, was retained for training customer’s crews. India bought five as Veer-class, producing eight more domestically. Vietnam bought four second hand over many years.

Project 12411 (1241.1M/1241.1MR) (NATO: Tarantul-III/Tarantul-III Mod)

Production 1985-2001: 34 ships delivered to USSR/Russia
Same main armament and basic hull as the 1241.RE (Tarantul-I) but called 1241.1M due to its important upgrades:
-Internal redesign and displacement of 550 tons
-New type propulsion CODAG: 2x M-70 gas turbines (12,000 hp each)+ 2x M510 (4,000 hp each) diesels for serviceability, fuel efficiency, life expectancy and 42 knots.
-Redesigned superstrctures, new narrow, straight lattice mast. Same sensor position.
-“Pechera” NAV radar off the roof of the bridge, MR-123 “Vympel” FC radar installed.
-Two new jamming system (NATO “Wine Glass”) both sides, foot of the mast.
-Four SS-N-22 ‘Sunburn’ A/S cruise missiles (range 100 km)
-Associated L-band ‘Band Stand’ radar (120 km active/500 km passive range, tracking 15 targets).
-‘Light Bulb’ uplink for 3rd party guidance.
-Improved SA-N-8 quadruple MANPADS launcher.
-SA-N-11 Kashtan instead of the AK-630s in one ship.
-Improved electronic countermeasures suite: 2x ‘Half Hat’, 1x’Foot Ball’ jamming systems, PK-10M decoy launchers.

At least 24 were built for the Soviet Navy before stopping in 1992. At the 11th ship the missile installed was the P-270 “Moskit-M”, designation Project 1241.1MR. R-60 was further modernized in 2005 with the Kashtan or “Palash” CIWS. This class in Russia has the associated name “Molniya” or lightning.

One key aspect of the “Molniya” was their quad “Moskit” supersonic anti-ship missiles. The first launch of this new supersonic anti-ship missile designated by NATO SS-N-22 Sunburn, was conducted from an export ship at the Feodosia test range late in October 1999. This ship had a the relevant updated radar missile target designation system. Thanks to its noise-proof features, it was praised as able to observe 15 targets simultaneously and define target destinations for six. Still a fary cry from AEGIS but a step in the right direction for modern multi-threat defence. The missiles could reach targets 500 kilometers off thanks to link with otehr assets. The Tarantul’s anti-aircraft missiles comprised a total of 12 man-portable anti-aircraft missile “Igla” day, requiring good visibility optical targeting. The on-board rapid-fire fire is a retusted complement to destroy air, surface and coastal targets, and floating mines.

The Soviet command back in 1979 believed their small size enables them to blend in with coastal merchant and fishing traffic, making them difficult to locate and target. With a skilled operator, Russian patrol craft armed with the new Sunburn antiship missiles was seen as a good complement for coastal deterrence. The Tarantul class had been design for safe operations in stormy weather with wind force 5 and tenure at sea in force 8. Its weapons suite made it capable to control a total area of sea worth 5 thousand square nautical miles. And between 38 knots and 2,400 miles range, be able to carry this “bubble” at any point as required. The Tarantul was and still is compared to the nanuchka however. But they are completely different animals. The tarantul has a hull smaller than the Nanuchka-Class, and also have less capabilities but nevertheless faster and more agile.

Project 1242.1/1241.8 Molniya

Project 1242.1 and project 1241.8 Molniya (“Lightning”) are further developments of the Tarantul class. They were modified, rearmed with the Uran-E missiles, built at the Russian Vympel Shipyard. Russia received at least one for trials in the 1990s as the 1242.1. In 1999 Vietnam ordered two currently the main user of the 1241.8 Molniya class, with two Russian-made ships and six locally built ships. Vietnam started its own production of the 1241.8 with assistance from the Almaz Central Design Bureau. The first two were delivered in July 2014, two more in June 2015, the last two in October 2017. They have the same AK-176 76 mm gun, but sixteen Uran-E anti-ship missiles, four Igla-M ANPADs, two AK-630 CIWS and are longer at 56.9 m (186 ft 8 in) and displacing 563 tons for a range of 1,700 nautical miles (3,100 km; 2,000 mi), 44 crew members.

The Indian Navy ordered four modified 1241.8, later reduced to two, the Veer class, armed with 16 SS-N-25 ‘Switchblade’/URAN E and the main gun replaced by an OTO Melara 76 mm gun but the same MR 352 Positiv-E (NATO Cross Dome) radar.

In 2009 Libya ordered three but the civil war in 2011 prevented this. Turkmenistan acquired three Type 1241.8 likely those ordered to Libya and remaining delivered.
The Russian Navy received two upgraded Molniya-class in early 2019 as the export contract was cancelled. They have eight Kh-35U anti-ship missiles and MANPADS wiht the Pantsir-M plus a modern radar phased antenna array, in service with the Black Sea and Caspian Sea.

Project Number 12418

A new Tarantul design was studied in the 1990s, with a lead vessel called Stupinets when launched in 2024. This variant of Project 1241.8 incorporates a larger superstructure, new propulsion system with two diesels CODAD. The diesels are likely Zwiezda M-507D-1, for 29 knots. In addition to their Uran antiship missiles with the 3M24 subsonic model, and 3R-60U fire control system the bubble is widened to 130 km, up to 260 km with the 3M24U. They are armed with the 76.2mm AK-176MA gun and two usual six-barrel 30mm AK-630Ms CIWS but all three in stealth turrets. Decoy launchers are upraded to the KT-216/PK-10 Smely. In late 2025 Stupinets and Strelok had been launched with sea trials started. Both are to be based with the Caspian Flotilla when commissioned.

Export

Former R-256 (Poltavskiy Komsomolets February 1992), laid down at Primorsky Shipyard (launched 1979), ex-Black Sea Fleet purchased on December 15, 1990 and active today.

One in service, with a purchased formulated in 2014, contract signed in 2015. In July she headed to the Mediterranean, and arrived at Alexandria, handed over to the Egyptian Navy on 10 August at the occasion of the inauguration of the New Suez Canal.

Seven license-built Indian variants (Veer-class) are currently in active service, replacing old vessels: The former Soviet-built INS Nishank decommissioned on 3 June 2022.

Four built: ORP Górnik (434), Hutnik (435), Metalowiec (436), Rolnik (437) all decommissioned and scrapped as of 2020.

Three all in service homeported to Mangalia: Zborul (commissioned 1990) Pescărușul (commissioned 1991) and Lăstunul (commissioned 1991).

Three acquired c2011, possibly the three originally ordered by Libya, never delivered: 830 Ederman, 831 Arkadag and 832 Gayratli.

The former East German Hiddensee was briefly in service with U.S. Navy, after it was transferred from the Bundesmarine after incorporation from the Volksmarine in the 1991 reorganization. This Tarantul I was tested without official title or pennant until retired in 1996. Now she is part of the museum ship in Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts. She was later scrapped in 2023 due to her hull deteriorating and the lack of funds to restore her. Originally commissioned by the East German People’s Navy as the Rudolf Englehofer, Hiddensee was designed to oppose any naval threat to the East German Coast. To fulfill this mission, Hiddensee carried long-range STYX anti-ship missiles and an array of defensive weapons designed to ensure her own survivability.

Following the reunification of Germany, Hiddensee served with the Federal German Navy until her decommissioning in April 1991. Shortly thereafter she was reactivated and transferred to the U.S. Navy. Joined briefly by a crew of 20 former East German sailors, a small civilian U.S. crew conducted extensive testing with the vessel at the Navy’s Solomons, Maryland, facility in the Patuxent River. After 50 underway deployments in the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Capes areas, Navy budget cutbacks severely curtailed operations, but she continued on as a research vessel until April 1996. The only ship of her kind on display in the world, Hiddensee joined Battleship Cove, the world’s largest collection of historic naval ships, on June 14, 1997.

12 ships in service: Four project 1241.RE Tarantul-I missile boats (pennants 371,372, 373 and 374). Eight project 1241: 8 Molniya missile boats/fast attack crafts (pennants 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 382 and 383). Six locally built at Ba Son Shipyard under license.

Class: Albin Kobis, Rudolf Egelhoffer, Fritz Gobig, Paul Eisenchneider, Hans Baimler. These were five ex-Soviet built Tarantul I class missile corvettes (Project 1241), built by Yard 341 in Rybinsk. They were laid down in 1983-84 and completed in 1985-86 and ordered to replace half the ageing OSA-I lass missiles FACs still in service. They were also thought after for the local Balcom-10 class FACs.

Four type 1241 ships, all captured by Russia in March 2014 during the invasion of Crimea. They were the following: Prydniprovia (believed hulked as floating barracks), Kremenchuk (believed to be in Russian Border Guard service as Kuban), Uzhhorod (believed to be in Russian Border Guard service as Novorossisk) and Khmelnytskyi (believed hulked as floating barracks).

These two Corvettes were former Tarantul I class. pennant 124 and 125. declared “derelict” in 2024 and discarded in 2001 respectively.

“R-5” (“Kaliningradsky Komsomolets” until February 1992) was laid down at Primorsky Shipyard, work 401 in 1977, commissioned on January 30, 1979. Assigned to the Baltic Fleet,
From February 1992 “R-49”,

“R-255” Kirovsky Komsomolets was laid down as work 403 in 1979, commissioned on December 30, 1980. Assigned to the Baltic Fleet Name changed in February 1992. She was decommissioned was on April 10, 2002.

“R-256” (“Poltavskiy Komsomolets” until February 1992), was laid down at Primorsky Shipyard as work 404, launched 1979, commissioned in 1982 with the Black Sea Fleet. Later on December 15, 1990 purchased by the Bulgarian Navy and renamed “Malnia”. In service currently.

“R-6” was laid down at Primorsky Shipyard as work 405 December 30, 1983 Baltic Fleet Decommissioned April 10, 2002.

“R-26” was laid down at Rybinsk Shipyard as work 01710 March 30, 1981 Baltic Fleet Decommissioned April 10, 2002. Project 1241RE.

“R-42” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard as work 901 March 30, 1983 Pacific Fleet Decommissioned May 3, 2001.

“R-45” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard as work 902 December 26, 1983 Pacific Fleet Decommissioned August 4, 1995.

“R-69” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard as work 903 1980 September 30, 1984 Pacific Fleet Decommissioned August 4, 1995.

“R-79” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard as work 904 1980 December 19, 1984 Pacific Fleet Decommissioned in 2022.

“R-54″later “Krasnodarsky Komsomolets” until February 1992, was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 200 April 21, 1981 December 18, 1982 December 30, 1983. Black Sea Fleet, Ukrainian Navy. Decommissioned in 2023. Since March 15, 2002, U155 “Pridneprovye”.

“R-71” later “Shuya” was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 201 August 12, 1981 September 14, 1983 June 10, 1985. Black Sea Fleet. Decommissioned in 2023. Project 12417.

“R-63” later “Kuibyshevsky Komsomolets” until February 1992, was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 202 11/19/1981 12/23/1983 08/31/1985 Black Sea Fleet, Ukrainian Navy. Decommissioned on November 7, 2012. From August 15, 1997, U156 “Kremenchug”.

“R-101” later “Stupinets”, was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 203 08/04/1982 06/27/1984 09/30/1985 KFl. Decommissioned in 2023.

“R-129” later “Kuznetsk” was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard 204 02/03/1983 11/19/1984 12/28/1985. BF Decommissioned in 2023.

“R-257” was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 205 05/03/1983 08/01/1985 10/31/1986 BF Decommissioned in 2022.

Project 12411 (12411-M)

“R-46” was laid down at Primorsky Shipyard as work 402: Laid down March 21, 1976, launched March 20, 1980, completed December 29, 1981. Black Sea Fleet Decommissioned December 17, 1994.

“R-66” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard work 905 on May 31, 1985, assigned to the Pacific Fleet Decommissioned on August 4, 1995.

“R-85” was laid down at the Khabarovsk Shipyard work 906, on September 30, 1985. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Decommissioned March 16, 1998.

“R-103” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard as work 907 on May 31, 1985. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Decommissioned March 16, 1998.

“R-113” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard work 908 on December 30, 1985. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Decommissioned July 17, 1997.

“R-158” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard work 909 on October 30, 1986. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Decommissioned July 31, 1996.

“R-76” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard work 910 on December 30, 1986. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Decommissioned July 31, 1996.

“R-83” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard, work 911 on December 30, 1986. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Decommissioned May 3, 2001.

“R-229” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard, work 912 on September 30, 1987. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Decommissioned April 10, 2002.

“R-230” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard, work 913 on December 30, 1987. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Decommissioned July 17, 1997.

“R-240” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard, work 914 on October 30, 1988. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Decommissioned April 10, 2002.

“R-261” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard, work 915 on December 31, 1988. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. In service.

“R-271” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard, work 916 on September 5, 1989. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Decommissioned June 22, 2005.

“R-442” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard, work 917 on December 16, 1989. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Decommissioned June 22, 2005.

“R-297” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard work 918 on 09 August 1990. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. In service..

“R-298” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard, work 919 on 31 December 1990. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. In service.

“R-11” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard, work 920 on 1st september 1991. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. In service.

“R-14” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard, work 921 on 28 Dec. 1991. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. In service.

“R-18” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard, work 922 on 24 August 1992. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. In service.

“R-19” was laid down at Khabarovsk SSiMZ as work 923 on December 7, 1992. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. In service.

“R-20” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard as work 924 on 1989, launched on 10/17/1991 completed on 11/18/1993. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. In service

“R-24” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard as work 925 on 1989, launched on 12/06/1991, completed on 12/27/1994. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. In service

“R-29” was laid down at Khabarovsk Shipyard as work 926 on 1992, launched on 01/29/2001, completed on 09/27/2003. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet. In service

“R-47” was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 206 on 02.06.1983, launched on 21.08.1986; completed on 13.02.1987. Assigned to the Baltic Fleet. Decommissioned in 2017. Museum in Kronstadt

“R-60” was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 207 on 10.12.1985, launched on 30.12.1986 completed on 12.12.1987. Assigned to the Black Sea Fleet with ZAK “Palash” installed. In service

“R-160”; later “MAK-160” was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 208 on 27.02.1986, launched on 29.09.1987 and cmompleted on 08.08.1988 NFL. Decommissioned in 2018.

“R-187” later “Zarechny” was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 209 on 18.07.1986, launched on 16.04.1988, completed on 04.03.1989. Assigned to the Baltic Fleet. In service.

“R-239” later “Naberezhnye Chelny” was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 210 on 05.10.1987, launched on 30.12.1988, completed on 21.09.1989. Assigned to the Black Sea Fleet. In service

“R-334” later “Ivanovets” was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 211 on 04.01.1989, launched on 28.07.1989, completed on 30.12.1989. Assigned to the Black Sea Fleet. Sank on 31.01.2024 after an attack of Ukraine.

“R-109” was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 212 on July 24, 1989, launched on April 13, 1990, completed on October 20, 1990. Assigned to the Black Sea Fleet. Decommissioned in 2021.

“R-291” later “Dimitrovgrad” was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 213 on 25.07.1989, launched on 19.10.1990 and completed on 30.05.1991. Assigned to the Baltic Fleet. In service

“R-293” later “Morshansk” was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 214 on 30.04.1991, launched on 23.08.1991 and completed on 17.02.1992. Assigned to the Baltic Fleet. In service

“R-2” later “Chuvashiya” was laid down at Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard as work 215 on 13.06.1991, launched on 26.05.1994, completed on 26.02.2000. Assigned to the Baltic Fleet. In service

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Links

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militaryfactory.com
globalsecurity.org
flot.sevastopol.info warfarecorvettes
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russianships.info
bharat-rakshak.com
warfare.be
ru.wikipedia.org
commons.wikimedia.org

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