Almaz Project 12411M Molniya-1 Missile Boat

History

The Project 12411M Molniya-1 is a Soviet-designed missile boat developed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau. NATO identifies the model as Tarantul III. It was created for attacks against surface ships in coastal and near-sea waters.

The defining feature of Project 12411M is its battery of four supersonic 3M80 Moskit anti-ship missiles. The type also combines high speed with a 76 mm main gun, two 30 mm close-in weapon systems, short-range air-defense missiles, and electronic-warfare equipment.

Development

Work on the broader Project 1241 family began after the Soviet Navy sought a larger and more seaworthy successor to Project 205 missile boats. Preliminary designs were presented in 1971. Development emphasized powerful anti-ship weapons, improved artillery, better sensors, and enough speed for operations with existing fast attack craft.

A 1973 decision funded continued development around the Moskit missile system. Almaz developed the Project 12411T and Project 12411M configurations in parallel during the late 1970s. Project 12411T carried the older P-15 Termit missile, while Project 12411M received the 3M80 Moskit and a diesel-gas-turbine propulsion arrangement. A detailed history of the wider family is available from the Naval Encyclopedia.

Production

The first Project 12411M boat, R-46, was launched in 1980 and completed in December 1981. Production involved the Khabarovsk and Sredne-Nevsky shipyards. Construction continued after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and R-29 was completed for the Russian Pacific Fleet in 2003.

Design

Hull and accommodation

Project 12411M has a flush-deck hull measuring 56.1 m long and 10.2 m across the beam. Standard displacement is 436 metric tons, while full-load displacement is 493 metric tons. The complement is 40 personnel, including five officers. Supplies and accommodation support an endurance of up to ten days.

Propulsion

The boat uses two M-15A combined diesel-and-gas-turbine units driving two fixed-pitch propellers. Each unit combines a 4,000 hp M-510 cruising diesel with a 12,000 hp M-70 gas turbine. The arrangement provides a maximum speed of 41 knots. Range is 1,600 nautical miles at 14 knots.

Anti-ship armament

Four 3M80 Moskit anti-ship missiles are carried in two twin KT-152 launchers positioned on the sides of the superstructure. The fixed launch containers are angled away from the centerline. The Moskit armament distinguishes Project 12411M from earlier Project 1241 configurations equipped with P-15 Termit missiles.

Guns and air defense

An AK-176M 76 mm automatic gun is mounted on the forward deck. Two six-barreled AK-630M 30 mm close-in weapon systems are positioned aft. These guns can engage air and surface targets. Short-range air defense is provided by Strela-3M or Igla-1 missiles carried for a four-position pedestal launcher.

Sensors and countermeasures

The 34K1 Monolit radar complex supports surface surveillance and missile targeting. The MR-123-1 Vympel-A system controls the 76 mm and 30 mm guns. Other equipment includes a navigation radar, identification system, electronic-support equipment, active jammers, and PK-16 decoy launchers. A technical description of the closely documented Ivanovets installation is provided by the Black Sea Fleet reference.

Operational history

Project 12411M boats initially served with the Soviet Navy and subsequently with the Russian Navy. Individual boats were assigned to the Baltic, Black Sea, and Pacific fleets.

On 1 February 2024, the Black Sea Fleet boat Ivanovets sank near Lake Donuzlav after an attack by Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels. Ivanovets had been commissioned as R-334 in 1989.

In August 2026, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force monitored four Pacific Fleet boats near Hokkaido. Hull numbers 916, 946, 971, and 978 corresponded to R-29, R-24, R-298, and R-19. The vessels passed through the Soya Strait without entering Japanese territorial waters, according to the published incident report.

Related variants

• Project 12411T: An interim configuration fitted with four P-15 Termit anti-ship missiles.
• Project 12417: An experimental air-defense configuration equipped with the Kortik combined missile-and-gun system.
• Project 1241RE: An export configuration of the wider Project 1241 family with P-15 missiles and a different sensor arrangement.
• Project 12418: A later development armed with Kh-35-series anti-ship missiles and using a substantially updated configuration. An overview of the broader Project 1241 family and its later derivatives is available from GlobalMilitary.net.

Operators

• Soviet Navy: Original operator of Project 12411M boats completed before the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
• Russian Navy: Operates inherited and subsequently completed boats in several fleets.

Specifications (Project 12411M Molniya-1)

General characteristics

• Type: Missile boat
• Standard displacement: 436 metric tons
• Full-load displacement: 493 metric tons
• Length: 56.1 m
• Beam: 10.2 m
• Draft: 2.5 m
• Crew: 40, including five officers
• Endurance: 10 days

Performance

• Propulsion: Two M-15A diesel-gas-turbine units driving two fixed-pitch propellers
• Maximum speed: 41 knots
• Range: 1,600 nautical miles at 14 knots

Armament

• Anti-ship missiles: Four 3M80 Moskit missiles in two twin KT-152 launchers
• Main gun: One 76 mm AK-176M automatic gun
• Close-in weapons: Two six-barreled 30 mm AK-630M systems
• Air defense: Strela-3M or Igla-1 short-range missiles with a four-position launcher
• Countermeasures: Two PK-16 decoy launchers