The modern Ukrainian Navy operates a modest small craft fleet numbering twelve boats from four distinct classes. Part of their number is the 54-ton "Gurza-M" class (Project 58155) patrol boats, categorized as "artillery" boats and designed with riverine and close-to-shore operations in mind. These vessels, numbering six in all - Akkerman (P174), Berdyansk (P175), Nikopol (P176), Kremenchuk (P177), Lubny (P178), and Vyshhorod (P179) - feature a broad array of armament and all-modern tracking and targeting facilities allowing them to handle most any minor-to-moderate threat.
The boats were influenced in design by the "Project 58150" armored river boats and saw construction of the first two units begin in October 2012. Funding issues delayed commissioning until 2016 and, in March of that year, a second batch of four boats was ordered. It was originally planned to have a complete fleet of twenty such boats but only six have completed for the Ukrainian Navy as of October 2018 (one remains under construction with an eight vessel planned before 2020). The ships are constructed by PJSC Leninska Kuznya Plant of Kiev, Ukraine.
The vessels sport an all-modern design with slab-sided hulls and low-profiles. There is a deck gun in the "A" position at the forecastle with a broad firing arc from the frontal section of the hull. Similarly, the same deck weapon is positioned over the aft section of the boat. The bridge superstructure is integrated in good fashion with the lower hull, presenting an unbroken hull line running from bow-to-stern. Over the bridge section is a towering mast seating the required array of radars, sensors, and communications fits.
Dimensions of the boat include an overall length of 23 meters with a beam measuring 4.8 meters and a draught of 1 meter. The shallow draught is of particular note for it provides the needed quality in close-to-shore maneuvering, giving the boats access to lengths of shoreline critical to Ukrainian security and economy.
Primary armament is 2 x BM-5M.01 "Katran-M" remote-controlled turreted deck guns, one fitted fore and the other aft. The turrets house a 30mm ZTM-1 autocannon with 1 x 7.62mm CT coaxial machine gun and 2 x Short-ranged Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs). The vessel is further equipped to launch "Barrier" Anti-Tank Guided-Missiles (ATGMs) at moving ground targets at-range. This is in addition to any personal weapons carried by the crew.
Propulsion power is from 2 x Marine diesel units allowing for a maximum speed of 25 knots in ideal conditions and an operational range out to 900 nautical miles. Onboard supplies give the boat an at-sea capability of up to five days before needing resupply.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.
