Zhuk class

Zhuk class

General Facts

TYPE
Patrol craft

ORIGIN
USSR

NICKNAMES
Project 1400 Grif (official name)
Zhuk class (NATO reporting name)

DESIGNED
Early 1970's

DESIGNER
?

PRODUCTION
1976 - 1996

PRODUCERS
Russia
USSR

QUANTITY
Over 100

UNIT COST
Unknown

CHARACTERISTICS
Low production and maintainance cost
Good speed and range
Limited armament

Introduction

The Zhuk class is a coastal patrol craft of Soviet origin. It was developed in the early 1970's as a cheap and rugged patrol craft for coast guard and border guard duties.

Layout

The Zhuk is a small vessel with a conventional design. A one level cabin is located in the middle and the two diesel engines are fitted at the rear. A small mast houses the navigation and surface search radar. A small one man turret located on the front deck and many vessels feature a similar turret at the rear deck. Alternatively a single pintle mounted machine gun is mounted at the rear deck.

Firepower

Must Zhuk are armed with two one man turrets that are fitted with two 12.7mm NSV heavy machine guns. The aft turret is not present in some vessels and a single pintle mounted NSV is fitted instead. The turrets do not feature any kind of fire control and are manually aimed.

Mobility

The Zhuk class is powered by two diesel engines that each power a single shaft. The maximum speed is 30 knots. When travelling at 15 knots the operational range is 1.100 nm. While being a small vessel the Zhuk is limited to coastal operations.

Users

The Zhuk class was produced for the USSR border guard and for export. The Zhuk has been exported to a wide variety of nations with ties to the USSR or Russia. Many Zhuk vessels remain in service around the world and are likely to remain in service despite their age.

Variants

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Zhuk class

Zhuk class

The Zhuk class is the NATO reporting name for what is called the Project 1400 Grif class in Russia. While being in production for over 20 years there are some small changes in the design. Variants include the original Project 1400 and the improved Project 1400M. The designation may indicate having one or two turrets fitted or may refer to other differences.