Project 12150 Mangust

History

The Project 12150 Mangust is a Russian high-speed patrol boat designed for operations in coastal waters. The type is used primarily by the Border Guard Service of Russia's Federal Security Service, while some modifications are operated by other Russian security and government organizations.

Mangust boats are approximately 20 m long and can reach speeds of up to 50 knots. Their compact size and high speed support patrol and security missions in coastal areas.

The type has also appeared during confrontations involving Russian and Ukrainian maritime forces. In September 2018, the Project 12150 patrol boat PSKA-651 conducted dangerous maneuvers near the Ukrainian Maritime Guard boat BG-59 Oniks in the Sea of Azov.

2026 strike in Crimea

On September 9, 2026, Ukraine's Defense Forces struck a Russian Mangust patrol boat in Kozacha Bay in Sevastopol, Crimea. The strike was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the time of the report, the extent of damage to the boat was still being assessed. Kozacha Bay is approximately 15 km from central Sevastopol. The incident was reported by Militarnyi.

Design

Project 12150 is a high-speed coastal patrol boat. The available source describes a vessel approximately 20 m long with a crew of up to six people and a maximum speed of up to 50 knots, equivalent to more than 90 km/h.

Armament

The standard armament described for Mangust boats is the MTPU-1 Zhalo naval machine-gun mount armed with a 14.5 mm weapon. Different configurations have also been reported with provisions for additional weapons.

• MTPU-1 Zhalo: 14.5 mm naval machine-gun mount described as the standard armament.
• PKMB: 7.62 mm machine guns may be installed in some configurations.
• AGS-17: automatic grenade launchers may be installed in some configurations.
• DP-64: anti-saboteur grenade launchers may be installed in some configurations.
• Igla-1M: portable surface-to-air missile systems have been reported as an available configuration.

Operational history

Before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian Border Guard Service Mangust boats were used during encounters with Ukrainian vessels in the Sea of Azov. In September 2018, PSKA-651, a Project 12150 boat, maneuvered close to the Ukrainian Maritime Guard boat BG-59 Oniks.

In September 2026, a Russian Mangust patrol boat was struck by Ukrainian forces while located in Kozacha Bay at Sevastopol. The initial report did not establish the final degree of damage.

Operators

• Russia: The Federal Security Service Border Guard Service is the principal operator described in the available sources. Other Russian security and government organizations operate some modifications. Open-source data cited by the source reported 62 Mangust boats in Russian service.

Specifications (Project 12150 Mangust)

General characteristics

• Type: High-speed coastal patrol boat
• Length: approximately 20 m
• Crew: up to 6

Performance

• Maximum speed: up to 50 knots, more than 90 km/h

Armament

• Standard armament: MTPU-1 Zhalo 14.5 mm naval machine-gun mount
• Optional armament: 7.62 mm PKMB machine guns, AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers, DP-64 anti-saboteur grenade launcher, and Igla-1M portable surface-to-air missile systems, depending on configuration