Kola-class frigate

Class overview
NameKola class (Project 42)
BuildersYantar Yard, Kaliningrad
Operators Soviet Navy
Succeeded byRiga class
Completed8
Lost1
Retired7
General characteristics
Class and typeFrigate
Displacement1,900 tons standard
Length96 m (315 ft)
Beam10.8 m (35 ft)
Draught3.2 m (10 ft)
Propulsion2 shaft geared steam turbines, 2 boilers 27,800 hp (20,700 kW)
Speed30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Range3,300 nmi (6,100 km; 3,800 mi) at 13.7 kn (25.4 km/h; 15.8 mph)
Complement175
Armament
  • 4× 100 mm guns (B-34) (4×1)
  • 37 mm guns (2×2)
  • 25 mm guns (2×2)
  • MBU-900 anti-submarine rocket launchers (replaced by two RBU-2500)
  • 3× 533 mm torpedo tubes (1×3)
  • 48 depth charges

The Kola class was the NATO reporting name for a group of frigates built for the Soviet Navy in the 1950s. The Soviet designation was Storozhevoi Korabl (escort ship) Project 42. These ships were analogous to World War II era destroyer escorts or German Elbing-class torpedo boats. The programme consisted of only 8 ships as these vessels were considered to be too expensive for series production and the smaller and cheaper Riga-class frigate was built instead. Radars and sonars were fitted.