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Parchim (class) / Project 1331M

1985 COLD WAR MODERN NAVY

History

Currently (2017), six Parhim-class frigate battleships (also project 1331M) are in service with the modern Russian Navy. All these active groups serve the Baltic Fleet. The class was designed and built for the East German Navy ("Volksmarine"), which remained divided after World War II ("Cold War"). Construction took place on site in East German waters from 1985 to 1989 and was the largest project in the Navy's decades-long existence under Soviet influence.

About twenty-eight ships were eventually completed. In addition to those who served in the Soviet Navy - now in the Russian Navy - there are fourteen active in the Indonesian Navy (2017) - these are former East German ships.

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

Due to the presence of NATO submarines on European coasts, the East German government ordered Parchim-class frigates as anti-submarine platforms. Traditionally, frigates are the smallest type of warship in service with all navies. This means they are intentionally given a relatively compact size, with a shallow draft and enough weapons to deal with most common threats out there. Plus, speed and maneuverability are inherently good.

Therefore, the Parchim stage displaces only 800 tons under standard load and up to 950 tons under full load. The length is 237.9 feet, the beam is 30.9 feet, and the draft is 15 feet. The frigate is equipped with 3 M504 series diesel engines producing 14,250 hp when driving 3 axles under the stern.

Under ideal conditions, these vessels have a combined speed of about 25 knots and a range of up to 2,100 nautical miles.

There are about 80 crew members on board. Various sensors and processing systems are installed for navigation, search and track, air search and surface search. Since this class is required to hunt submarines, the ships are also equipped with sonar systems.

The armament group is led by a twin-barreled 57mm AK-725 series deck gun mounted above the forecastle. This is supported by a dual-gun 30mm AK-230 series gun mount. The ships also carry two SA-N-5 shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile (SAM) launchers for short- and medium-range air threats.

2 RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) launchers were installed for submarine hunting, and 12 depth charges were also carried. 4 x 400mm torpedo tubes provide torpedo launch capability.

All in all, the squad received an adequate stockpile of anti-air and anti-submarine weapons to meet the needs of each mission. In practice, the group has performed well in specific roles in its naval history, notably in coastal patrols and deterrence operations.

However, the lack of deeper air defense and anti-ship capabilities limits the types of missions, but the ships are designed for good.

The Russian Navy is still somewhat dependent on the series, active named ships are Urengoy, Kasanets, Zelenodolsk, Alexin, Kabrdino-Balkar and Kalmykia. However, their long-term usefulness and overall value are questionable, given the advancements in ship technology and construction practices since the 1980s.

Indonesian Navy ships were partially modernized through expensive projects, including complete engine replacements (Deutz, MTU and Caterpillar types installed). The group is known locally as the Kapitan Patimura class.