Mirka class frigate

Mirka I class, project 35 frigate
Class overview
Name:	Mirka class (project 35 /35M)
Operators:	Soviet Navy
Preceded by:	Petya class frigate
Succeeded by:	Koni class frigate
Built:	1964-1966
Completed:	18
Retired:	18
General characteristics
Type:	frigate
Displacement:	950 tons (standard) 1,150 tons (full load)
Length:	81.8 m
Beam:	9.2 m
Draught:	2.9 m
Propulsion:	2 shaft CODAG, 2 gas turbines - 30,000 hp 2 diesels - 12,000 hp
Speed:	30 knots
Range:	4800 NM at 10 knots 500 NM at 30 knots
Complement:	98
Sensors and processing systems:	Radar Don-2, Slim Net, Hawk Screech, Sonar - Herkules hull mounted & dipping sonar
Armament:	4 76mm guns (2x2) 4 RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers (2 in some ships) 5 406mm anti-submarine torpedo tubes

The Mirka Class was the NATO reporting name for a class of light frigates built for the Soviet Navy in the mid to late 1960s. The Soviet Designation was Storozhevoi Korabl (escort ship) Project 35 (Mirka I) and Project 35-M (Mirka II).

Design

The role of these ships was anti-submarine warfare in shallow waters and they were similar to the Petya class frigates but had a modified machinery suite. The machinery consisted of two shafts with diesels and gas turbines (CODAG). The propellers were in tunnels (similar to water jets). The machinery proved noisy and not very reliable.

Ships

A total of 18 ships were built by Yantar shipyard, Kaliningrad, for the Soviet Navy. All ships were decommissioned between 1989 and 1992.

Gallery

• 

  Mirka I class frigate SKR-6 colliding with USS Caron (DD-970).

• 

  A Mirka I class frigate.

References

• Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1995 ISBN 0-85177-605-1
• Page from FAS
• Page in Russian
• (English) Russian Mirka Class - Complete Ship List