Sobol patrol boat class

History

The Sobol class (Project 12200) is a type of fast patrol boat developed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau in St. Petersburg in the early 2000s. The class is distinct from other Russian naval vessels with similar names. Twenty-three boats were constructed: 21 at the Almaz Shipyard in St. Petersburg and 2 at Vostochnaya Verf in Vladivostok. The first unit, PKASS-985, was commissioned on 22 December 2006; the last, PSKA-318, entered service on 22 June 2016. The class is assigned to the Black Sea Fleet, Baltic Fleet, Pacific Fleet, and Northern Fleet. In 2009, two vessels (hull numbers 165 and 166, originally built as №202 and №203) were exported to Turkmenistan.

In October 2026, published images showed a Project 12200 Sobol in the Baltic Sea that had been stripped of its FSB Border Guard Coast Guard markings—previously a dark-blue hull, white superstructure, identification stripes, and a visible hull number—and repainted in a dark geometric camouflage pattern. Metal grilles were installed above the bridge and superstructure, intended to provide protection against FPV drones and munitions dropped from above. Additional equipment, including an inflatable boat, was visible at the stern, indicating a broader modification package for operational tasks in the Baltic.

Specifications

The Sobol is a small, high-speed patrol craft designed for coastal and littoral operations including border protection, coastal patrol, and anti-smuggling. Standard displacement is 53 tonnes; full-load displacement is 57.5 tonnes. The hull measures 30.3 m in length, 5.82 m in beam, and 1.34 m in draft. Maximum speed is 48 knots, with a reported range of 47 to 50 knots. Operational range is 500 nautical miles at 40 knots; endurance is 3 days. The crew complement is six.

Propulsion details differ between sources: one reference lists two Deutz TBD616V16 diesel engines, while another lists two 1,822 hp MTU 12V2000M93 diesels with Arneson water-jet drives. Standard armament is one 14.5 mm MTPU-1 Zhalo machine gun with 1,000 rounds; the class can be fitted with additional weapons including SAM systems as required.

Operators

• FSB Border Guard Coast Guard, Russia – 21 vessels
• Turkmen Naval Forces – 2 vessels (exported from Russia in December 2009)