These ships were a smaller and simpler version of the Kola class frigate. According to Conway's, this simpler group of ships were ordered by Stalin himself who was concerned about the cost of large ships. The class introduced high pressure steam turbines and new radars into Soviet service. The bridge gun turrets and magazines were covered in 8mm-thick armour. The main armament comprised three single dual-purpose 100mm guns with remote power control and a single Yakor type fire control director. The machinery comprised two TV-9 steam turbines with two boilers and had initial problems with reliability.
There was a modernisation programme designated Project 50 A in the late 1950s early 1960s. This included fitting anti-submarine rocket launchers (RBU-2500) new radar and adding permanent ballast for improved stability.
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Type: | frigate |
| Displacement: | 1,160 tons (standard) 1,416 tons (full load) |
| Length: | 91 m |
| Beam: | 10.2 m |
| Draught: | 3.16 m |
| Propulsion: | 2× shaft steam turbines, 2× boilers; 21,000 hp |
| Speed: | 28 knots |
| Range: | 1,950 nm at 14 knots |
| Complement: | 175 |
| Armament: | 3× 100 mm guns/56 (B-34) (3×1) 4× 37 mm guns (2×2) 4× 25 mm guns (2×2) MBU 600 anti-submarine rocket launchers (replaced by two RBU 2500) 2 or 3× 533 mm torpedo tubes (1×2 or 1×3) |
