Parchim (class) / Project 1331M

Corvette Warship [ 1985 ]

The Parchim-class group of corvettes was developed for the East German Navy when there was still a divided Germany.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/09/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

There are currently (2017) six of the Parchim-class (also Project 1331M) corvette warships in service with the modern Russian Navy. All of this active group serves with the Baltic Fleet. The class was developed and built for the East German Navy (the "Volksmarine") where there was still a divided Germany of the post-World War 2 period (the "Cold War"). Construction was handled locally in East German waters from 1985 until 1989 and marked the largest project by the Navy to be had during its decades-long existence under Soviet influence. Some twenty-eight vessels were ultimately completed. In addition to those having served with the Soviet Navy - and now serving with the Russian Navy - a further fourteen remain active with the navy of Indonesia (2017) - these being former East German vessels.

The Soviet/Russian batch of Pachim-class corvettes was/is designated "Parchim II" by NATO.

Due to the presence of NATO submarines around European shores, the Parchim-class corvettes were ordered by the East German government as anti-submarine platforms. Traditionally, corvettes have marked the smallest warship types in service with any navy. This means they are deliberately given relatively compact dimensions with shallow draughts and enough armament to deal with most of the common threats out there. Additionally, speed and maneuverability are inherently good. The Parchim-class, therefore, displaced just 800 tons under standard load and up to 950 tons under full load. Length was 237.9 feet with a beam of 30.9 feet and a draught of 15 feet. The corvettes were outfitted with 3 x M504 series diesel units and these developing 14,250 horsepower while driving 3 x shafts under stern. The vessels had an outright speed of about 25 knots in ideal conditions and could range out to 2,100 nautical miles.©MilitaryFactory.com

Aboard there was a crew of about 80 men. Various sensors and processing systems were installed for navigation, search-and-track, air-search and surface-search capability. As the class was required to hunt submarines, the warships were also outfitted with sonar systems.

The armament suite was led by a single twin-gunned 57mm AK-725 series turreted deck gun fitted over the forecastle. This was backed by 1 x twin-gunned 30mm AK-230 series gun installation. The vessels also carried 2 x SA-N-5 shoulder-fired Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launchers for short-to-medium-ranged aerial threats. 2 x RBU-6000 Anti-Submarine ROCket (ASROC) launchers were installed for submarine hunting and 12 x depth charges were also carried. 4 x 400mm torpedo tubes supplied a torpedo-launching function.

All told, the class was given a healthy stable of anti-aircraft and anti-submarine weapons to suit the particular mission need. In practice, the group performed well in their given roles for their time in naval history, particularly in close-to-shore patrolling and deterrence work. Lacking a deeper anti-aircraft and anti-ship capability, however, limited the type in service but the vessels were good for what they were designed for.

The Russian Navy still relies on the series to an extent with active named vessels being Urengoy, Kazanets, Zelenodolsk, Alexin, Kabrdino-Balkaria and Kalmykia. However, their long-term usefulness and overall value is in doubt as much has progressed in the way of naval technology and construction practices since the 1980s. The Indonesian Navy vessels have been modernized some through expensive programs that has involved complete engine replacement (involving Deutz, MTU and Caterpillar types installed). The group is known locally as the Kapitan Patimura-class.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1985

Origin

Germany

Complement

80
PERSONNEL

Class

Parchim-class / Project 1331M

Number-in-Class

28
VESSELS

Ships-in-Class

28 vessels completed.

East Germany; Indonesia; Russia; Soviet Union

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Offshore Operation
Activities conducted near shorelines in support of allied activities.

Length

237.9 ft
72.51 m

Beam

30.9 ft
9.42 m

Draught

15.0 ft
4.57 m

Displacement

800
tons

Installed Power: 3 x M504 marine diesel engines developing 14,250 horsepower to 3 x Shafts.

Surface Speed

24.7 kts
(28.4 mph)

Range

2,099 nm
(2,415 mi | 3,887 km)

1 x 57mm AK-725 deck gun in twin-gunned mounting.

1 x 30mm AK-230 gun in twin-gunned mounting.

2 x SA-N-5 Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launchers.

2 x RBU-6000 Anti-Submarine ROCket (ASROC) launchers.

4 x 400mm torpedo tubes

12 x Depth charges

Supported Types

Graphical image of a modern warship turreted deck gun armament

Graphical image of an air-to-air missile weapon

Graphical image of aircraft aerial rockets

Graphical image of an aircraft aerial torpedo

(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)

None.

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Image of the Parchim (class) / Project 1331M

Image from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

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