Petya-class frigate

The Petya Class was the NATO reporting name for a class of light frigates designed in the 1950s and built for the Soviet Navy in the 1960s. The Soviet Designation was Storozhevoi Korabl (escort ship) Project 159.

Design
They were the first gas turbine powered ships in the Soviet navy. The role of these ships was anti-submarine warfare in shallow waters and they were similar to the Mirka class frigates. The specification (TTZ in Russian) was issued in 1955 and design approved in 1956. A three shaft machinery layout was chosen with the central shaft powered by diesel engines for economical cruising and the two wing shafts powered by gas turbines for speed. Gun armament was two twin 76mm gun turrets in A and Y positions which were controlled by a single radar director. anti-submarine armament consisted of RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers and a launcher for 400 mm anti-submarine torpedoes. Some of the ships designed for export replaced the 400mm torpedo tubes with anti-shipping 533mm torpedo tubes. A comprehensive sonar suite including VDS was fitted.

Ships
A total of 54 ships were built in two shipyards: the Kaliningrad Yantar shipyard built 22 ships including exports and Khabarovsk yard built 32 ships including exports. All Soviet ships were decommissioned in 1989-1992 but some are still in service with export customers.

Export Sales

 * Azerbaijani Navy - 1 ship
 * Ethiopian Navy - 4 ships - sold for scrap in Djibouti following the independence of Eritrea
 * Indian Navy - 11 ships designated Arnala class frigate (all decommissioned)
 * Syrian Navy - 2 ships (still in service)
 * Vietnam People's Navy - 5 ships (still in service)