Kotor-class frigate

Last updated
Patrolni brod klasa Kotor P34.jpg
Pula (P-34)
Class overview
NameKotor class (Project 1159)
Operators
Preceded by Koni class
Built1985–1989
Completed2
Active0
General characteristics
Type Frigate
Displacement
  • 1,250 tons (standard)
  • 1,492 tons (full load)
Length91.8 m (301 ft 2 in)
Beam12.8 m 11.66
Draught4.2 m
Propulsion
  • 2 shaft CODAG,
  • 1 gas turbine - 11,4720 kW
  • 2 diesels - 3,648 kW
Speed27 knots
Range1800 nm at 14 knots
Sensors and
processing systems
MR-302 Rubka, Decca RM 1226, MPZ-301, 9LV-200 MK-2, MR-104 Ris
Armament

The Kotor class (Yugoslav designation: Veliki Patrolni Brod (VPBR)) are a pair of light frigates built for the Yugoslav Navy during the 1980s at the Kraljevica Shipyard in SR Croatia.

Contents

History

The development of the Kotor class began in the late 1970s with the Yugoslav Navy requesting a class of ship that could conduct operations beyond Yugoslavia's coastal regions and replace its aging destroyers. Designs of the new ship were completed at the Zagreb Naval Institute in 1982. Based on the Soviet Koni-class anti-submarine warfare frigate hull, the Yugoslav Kotor class was designed and built with a modified superstructure and forward positioning of its SS-N-2 anti-ship missiles.

Service history

Construction of P-33 was completed on 29 December 1986 for the Yugoslav Navy at Kraljevica Shipyard and sailed to her first port of Lora naval base in Split. Commissioned as Veliki Patrolni Brod (large patrol boat) VPBR-33 Kotor, she was registered in the Yugoslav Navy fleet list on the same day. [1] Commissioned as VPBR-34 Pula, P-34 was completed on 28 February 1988 and joined the Yugoslav Navy fleet list on the same day. [1]

With the dissolution of Yugoslavia, on 31 May 1992 both P-33 an P-34 were relocated to the Navy Technical and Repair Institute "Sava Kovacevic" in Tivat, Montenegro and then later moved to the Port of Bar, where they were commissioned with the FR Yugoslav Navy of Serbia and Montenegro. In 2006, the ships were passed on to the Montenegrin Navy following the dissolution of Serbia and Montenegro and in 2018 the Montenegrin government announced its intent to sell the two ships, with Israel being identified as a potential customer. [2] [3] As of September 2019 both ships are operational in an offshore patrol vessel role with the Montenegrin Navy at naval base Bar. [4]

In 2005, P-34 participated in joint Serbia and Montenegro/Italy naval exercise "Common Horizon" in the Port of Brindisi in Italy and then in 2007 at an ADRION countries (Adriatic Ionian Initiative) „ADRION 11 LIVEX“ in the vicinity of the Corfu Island region under the flag of Montenegro.

In 2009, P-34 participated in two joint offshore exercises hosted by Montenegro, inviting ships from the United States and France, and in 2010 with vessels from Germany and the Turkey.

Both ships were withdrawn from service in 2019 and were put up for sale. [5] [ needs update ]

Design

The hull used sheet steel with a thickness of 3 to 15 mm, while the superstructure is made of aluminum alloy with a thickness of 2 to 10 mm. The superstructure was designed to reduce radar reflection.

The frigates are armed with four missiles, ship-to-ship P-21 or P-22 (NATO code SS-N-2 Styx). The weight of the missiles is 2607 kg, warhead weighing 480 kg, with a range from 8 to 80 km altitude flying at 25 or 50 meters, at a speed of Mach 0.9. They have infra-red self-guidance systems (P-22) or active radar guidance (P-21).

For air defense, the ships use OSA-M missile systems (NATO code SA-N-4 Gecko). It consists of the radio-controlled guided anti-aircraft missile RZ-13 mounted on the double ejector type missile rail ZIF-122, device management and shooting training operator. The RZ-13 missile can effectively destroy targets that fly at a height of 50-6,000 m at a distance to 15 km.

Kotor-class frigate P-33, May 2021 Kotor-class frigate P-33.jpg
Kotor-class frigate P-33, May 2021

The ship has two quadruple launchers MTU-IV with four anti-air 9K32 Strela-2 M missiles. Launchers are compatible with other, more modern MANPADS.

Two rocket twelve-barreled depth charge launchers RBU-6000 are intended for anti-submarine warfare. Their range is 350 to 5,500 m, with a maximum target depth of 400 m.

The frigates are also armed with artillery, consisting of twin universal automatic AK-726 cannon and two 30mm AK-230 cannons.

The Kotor frigates are equipped with sensors to detect and track targets. To detect surface and air targets, the MR-302 Rubka (NATO codename Strut Curve) radar is used, which has an approximately 110 km range, while the RM 1226 Decca radar is intended for navigation. The MPZ-301 (NATO code Pop Group) radar system is used to fire Osa-M missiles, and for the management of artillery fire observation and sighting radar systems operation 9LV-200 MK-2 and sighting radar MR-104 Ris are used. The ships also have active sonar, radiological detectors, laser detectors and detector for radar irradiate. For the defense of anti-ship missiles frigate is equipped with infrared laser and Barricade type radar decoys.

The Kotors are powered by CODAG (combined), consisting of one M8G gas turbine, providing a maximum power of 14,720 kilowatts (19,740  hp ) and two Pielstick SEMT 12 PA 6V diesel engines, providing power of 280 kW by 3648. The ships have three propellers - two for the diesel engines and one for the gas turbine. The main drive represents diesel engines and are used most of the time, while the gas turbine was designed to provide additional speed during the performance of combat tasks.

The other ship systems include a device for degaussing of the ship, two desalinization devices for the production of drinking water, devices for radio link, the device to receive data from hydro-acoustic buoys, devices for underwater connection, firefighting and drainage pumps, fuel pumps for the draft and oil, system air conditioning, fire system on the basis of halogen, equipment for the production of electricity and others.

Operators

Former operators

Ships in class

OperatorNameBuilderLaunchedCommissionedStatus
Flag of the Navy of Montenegro.svg  Montenegrin Navy P-33 (ex Kotor)Kraljevica Shipyard21 May 198529 December 1986Withdrawn from service 2019. [5]
Flag of the Navy of Montenegro.svg  Montenegrin Navy P-34 (ex Pula)Kraljevica Shipyard18 December 198525 March 1988Withdrawn from service 2019. [5]

Citations

  1. 1 2 "Patrol Boats". Ministry of Defence of the Armed Forces of Montenegro. 2010-07-08. Retrieved 2019-11-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. Serbia, RTS, Radio televizija Srbije, Radio Television of. "Podgorica prodaje fregate nekadašnje JRM". www.rts.rs. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  3. Gore, D. D. / Foto:Vojska Crne (2019-02-25). "Crna Gora prodaje zadnje preostale fregate ukradene iz Splita, a Hrvatska šuti". DALMACIJA DANAS - obala, otoci, Zagora. Najnovije vijesti iz Dalmacije. (in Croatian). Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  4. "Jane's by IHS Markit". my.ihs.com. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Luković, Siniša (16 February 2020). "Mornarica opet izvisila, a samo "Durmitor" borbeno sposoban". Vijesti . Retrieved 18 March 2023.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armed Forces of Serbia and Montenegro</span> Military forces of Serbia and Montenegro

The Armed Forces of Serbia and Montenegro included ground forces with internal and border troops, naval forces, air and air defense forces, and civil defense. Preceding the VSCG was the Army of Yugoslavia from the remnants of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA), the military of SFR Yugoslavia. The state, then named Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, participated in the Yugoslav Wars with limited direct intervention of its own armed forces. Following the end of the Wars and the constitutional reforms of 2003 by which the state was renamed "Serbia and Montenegro", the military accordingly changed its name. The military was heavily involved in combating Albanian separatists during the Kosovo War and Preševo Valley conflict, and also engaged NATO airplanes during the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.

<i>Maestrale</i>-class frigate Ship class

The Maestrale class is a class of frigates of the Italian Navy. The class is composed of eight vessels, all of which were built by Fincantieri S.p.A., Riva Trigoso, except for Grecale, which was built by Fincantieri S.p.A. – Muggiano, La Spezia.

<i>La Fayette</i>-class frigate French general purpose stealth frigates

The La Fayette class is a class of general purpose frigates built by DCNS in the 1980s/90s and still operated by the French Navy today. Derivatives of the type are in service in the navies of Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Croatian Navy</span> Military unit

The Croatian Navy is a branch of the Croatian Armed Forces. It was formed in 1991 from what Croatian forces managed to capture from the Yugoslav Navy during the breakup of Yugoslavia and Croatian War of Independence. In addition to mobile coastal missile launchers, today it operates 30 vessels, divided into the Navy Flotilla for traditional naval duties, and the Croatian Coast Guard. Five missile boats form the Croatian fleet's main offensive capability.

<i>Cassard</i>-class frigate

The Cassard class was a class of two anti-air warfare destroyers of the French Navy introduced in the latter 1980s/early 1990s. The class was an air defence variant of the Georges Leygues class. The two classes have a different armament and propulsion system mounted on an identical hull. Their primary role was to provide air cover for a fleet, an aeronaval group, a convoy & a littoral point. Their secondary role was to manage air assets coordination & aircraft control for the force, especially through Link 16.They can also be used for research, identification or presence missions. Both ships were assigned to the Force d'Action Navale. The lead ship of the class, Cassard, was retired in 2019 followed by the retirement of Jean Bart in 2021.

French frigate <i>Suffren</i> French Suffren Class frigate

Suffren was a Suffren-class frigate of the French Navy, designed to protect a fleet against air threats, surface ships, submarines, and, to a lesser extent, provide firepower against land objectives. She is the sister ship of Duquesne, and was decommissioned in 2001. She was the seventh French vessel named after the 18th century admiral Pierre André de Suffren.

Krivak-class frigate Class of frigates built for Soviet/Russian navy

The Krivak class, Soviet designation Project 1135 Burevestnik, are a series of frigates and guard ships built in the Soviet Union primarily for the Soviet Navy since 1970. Later some sub-branches, like the Nerey (Nereus) were designed for coastal patrol by the KGB Border Troops. Until 1977, the ships in the class were considered to be large anti-submarine warfare vessels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yugoslav Navy</span> Naval warfare branch of former state of Yugoslavia

The Yugoslav Navy, was the navy of Yugoslavia from 1945 to 1992. It was essentially a coastal defense force with the mission of preventing enemy landings along Yugoslavia's rugged 4,000-kilometer shoreline or coastal islands, and contesting an enemy blockade or control of the strategic Strait of Otranto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armed Forces of Montenegro</span> Military forces of Montenegro

The Armed Forces of Montenegro are the military forces of Montenegro. The Armed Forces consists of an army, navy and air force.

Koni-class frigate Class of Soviet anti submarine frigates

The Koni class is the NATO reporting name for an anti-submarine warfare frigate built by the Soviet Union. They were known in the Soviet Union as Project 1159. 14 were built in Zelenodolsk shipyard between 1975 and 1988. They were originally intended to replace the older Riga-class frigates, but were instead chosen as a design for export to various friendly navies. The Koni I sub class were designed for European waters and the Koni II were made for warmer waters. One ship was retained by the Soviets in the Black Sea for training foreign crews. Only a few of these vessels remain in service today.

Petya-class frigate

The Petya class was the NATO reporting name for a class of light frigates designed in the 1950s and built for the Soviet Navy in the 1960s. The Soviet designation was "Storozhevoi Korabl`" Project 159.

Osa-class missile boat 1960s Soviet missile boat super-class

The Project 205 Moskit (mosquito) more commonly known by their NATO reporting name Osa, are a class of missile boats developed for the Soviet Navy in the late 1950s. Until 1962 this was classified as a large torpedo boat.

Romanian frigate <i>Mărășești</i>

Mărășești (F111) is a frigate currently serving with the Romanian Navy. Mărășești served as the flagship of the navy between 1985–2004, when Regele Ferdinand became the new flagship. She is the largest warship of the Romanian Navy ever built in Romania.

Yugoslav frigate <i>Split</i> First frigate of the Yugoslavian Navy

Split was a Koni-class frigate in service with the Yugoslav Navy (JRM). Laid down and completed during the late 1970s as Sokol of the Soviet Navy, it was the fourth ship of a class that was being built by the Zelenodolsk Shipyard primarily for export to various friendly navies. The ship was acquired by the JRM in 1980 and commissioned as Split, becoming the second ship in JRM service to be named after the city of Split. It was soon followed by a second Koni-class hull, Koper (VPBR-32), commissioned in the JRM in 1982. Designated as a Large Patrol Boat by the JRM, Split's original armament consisting of naval guns, anti-submarine rocket launchers and anti-aircraft missiles was further improved by the addition of four P-20 anti-ship missiles, making it the most versatile ship in the JRM inventory at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montenegrin Navy</span> Military unit

The Montenegrin Navy is the naval branch of the military of Montenegro.

<i>Končar</i>-class missile boat Class of missile boats built for Yugoslav navy

The Končar class is a class of six missile boats built for the Yugoslav Navy during the late 1970s at Tito's Shipyard Kraljevica, SR Croatia. The boats featured a mixture of Western and Eastern European equipment, including Soviet anti-ship missiles and Swedish guns.

Kraljevica-class patrol boat

The Kraljevica class was a class of large anti-submarine patrol boats built for the Yugoslav Navy during the 1950s. Built by the Tito's Shipyard in Kraljevica, the 24 boats of the class were built in two series, the first from 1951 until 1954 and the second from 1954 until 1957. Although similar in layout, boats of the second series featured a slightly larger displacement and more powerful machinery.

Algerian frigate <i>Rais Kellik</i> Koni-class frigate of the Algerian Navy

Rais Kellik (902) is a Koni II-class frigate of the Algerian National Navy.

Algerian frigate <i>Rais Korfou</i> Koni-class frigate of the Algerian Navy

Rais Korfou (903) is a Koni II-class frigate of the Algerian National Navy.

References