The Kola clas as the NATO named these frigates were built at the Yantar Yard at Kaliningrad in the 50’s of the 20th century as Project 42 escort ships (Storozhevoi Korabl) and of which 8 were built. The ships which were built were the Solol (1951), Berkut (1952), Kondor (1952), Grif (1952), Krechet (1952), Orlan (1953), Lev (1953) and the Tigr (1953). All ships except for the Kondor which was wrecked in 1962 were scrapped in the 70’s of the 20th centuryDue to the high costs there were no more built but was choose the Soviet Navy for the smaller and cheaper Riga class frigates. The Kola frigate had a displacement of 1,900 tons standard and as dimensions 96 x 10,8x 3,2m. The 2 shaft geared steam turbines combined with 2 boilers supplied 27,800 hp allowing a speed of 30 knots. With a medium speed of 13,7 knots the range was 3,300 nautical sea miles. Their crew numbered 175 men. The armament consisted of 4x1-10cm guns, 2x2-3,7cm guns, 2x2-2,5cm guns, MBU 900-anti submarine rocket launchers which were later replaced by 2 RBU 2500, 48 depth charges and 1x3-53,3cm torpedo tubes.
