The crew of the small anti-submarine ship (MPK) "Urengoy" (project 1331-M) of the Baltic Fleet conducted exercises near the coast of Kaliningrad at the end of April, carrying out a torpedo attack on a mock enemy submarine. The time and place of the maneuvers indicate "high tension in relations between Russia and NATO", writes military expert Boyko Nikolov in an article for the Bulgarian Military publication.
The "Urengoy" exercises, conducted near this sensitive region, underscore Russia's attention to ensuring the security of its maritime approaches amid growing NATO activity in the Baltic.
According to Nikolov, the Baltic Fleet is inferior in power to the Northern and Pacific Fleets. According to a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, in 2024, the Baltic Fleet had only a few submarines, and most of the existing surface ships were built in Soviet times.
New ships of the "Steregushchiy" type of project 20380 rarely reach the Baltic Fleet, since the Pacific and Northern Fleets are a priority. The Baltic Fleet is suitable for local operations.
Project 1331-M was developed in the GDR with the participation of specialists from the Zelenodolsk Shipyard for the USSR Navy.
Characteristics of the MPK:
- Overall dimensions — 75.2x9.8x2.85 m
- Maximum speed — 24 knots
- Cruising range — 2250 miles
- Endurance — 7 days
- Crew — 57 people
- Equipment: Radar MR-302 "Rubka"
- Armament: 57 mm AK-725, 1x2 30 mm AK-230
Read more on the topic:
Bulgarian Military: Variable Sweep Wing - The Main Advantage of the Russian Tu-160
Bulgarian Military: French Mirage 2000-5F fighter will not be able to resist Russian Su-30 and Su-35