Distinguish Molniya and Tarantul : Guided Missile Corvettes of Vietnam Navy

The Molniya and Tarantul belong Project 1241 (NATO List collectively Tarantul) under high-speed missile boats, are designed for combat duty in the shallow coastal waters, high speed, firepower are the advantages of this type of rocket ships.

Project 1241 was initiated at the end of the Soviet Union in 1970, to replace the high-speed missile boats obsolete Osa.

In 1978, the first project was completed and transferred to the Soviet Navy evaluation.

This variant is equipped with 4 anti-ship missile P-15 Termit range of 40km, 1 gunboat AK-176 76.2 mm at the front and two fast firing AK-630 cannon in the back.

 

The identified variants of Project 1241 is quite complex. Russia, every time with small improvements to be set for a different identifier while the external appearance does not change much. This is the reason why many people difficult to distinguish Molniya and Tarantul.

Other variants were developed of Project 1241 include 1241.1M/MR (NATO identification is Tarantul III) equipped with search radar target Monolith, this radar targets 120km search range in active mode, up to 500 km with a passive mode.

New variant to replace the P-15 missile with supersonic anti-ship missiles P-270 Moskit, 120km range, replace engine CODOG (combined diesel gas turbine) by engine CODAG (combined diesel gas)

 

Project 1241 RE is the export variant of Project 1241, (NATO identifier is Tarantul-II), with different variations for the Soviet Navy is removing search radar target Monolith installed above command chamber, instead search radar target Garpun-Bal (NATO identification Plank Shave) at the top of the mast.

Radar radar installation location Monolith is replaced with fire-control radar MR-123 Vympel for gunboat AK-176 and rapid firing AK-630 guns.

On Project 1241 RE weapons equipped with 4 anti-ship missiles P-15 Termit less than capacity layout structure clusters the similar anti-ship missile launcher as the Russian, 1 gunboat AK-176 76.2 mm, 2 artillery Quick shot AK-630, low-to-air missiles, Igla.

 

In the photo, Project 1241.8 Molniya export to India, gunboat AK-176 front replaced by OTO 76mm SRGM French.

Vietnam People's Navy ordered ships since 1999, four vessels were delivered in the early 2000s. Currently, Vietnam will close the vessel with the help of technology transfer from Russia. At least 6 units cruise missiles Tarantul are served in the Vietnam People's Navy personnel.

Russian Molniya is the name for this variation, it is also called the Lightning. This variant is also known as Project 1241.1 Molniya, 1241.1/1241.8 actually the same project, the reason which had a different name due to be exported to various countries.

Project 1241.1 is a variant for the Russian Navy only has one aircraft were put into use.

Project 1241.8 is reserved for export variants. In particular, variations export for gunboat India AK-176 is replaced by the gunboats OTO 76mm SRGM French, search radar targets are placed in the dome above the top of the mast. Vietnamese also Project 1241.8 exports to the use of fully electronic and weapons systems from Russia.

 

Molniya guided missile corvettes with 4x4 SSM Uran E range 130km (all photos : giaoduc, ttvnol)

Between Molniya and Tarantul there are many differences easy to see with the naked eye, the superstructure the Molniya is divided into 3 levels, 3 different types of radar installation.

First, the upper chamber commander installed fire-control radar for anti-ship missile Garpun-Bal-E (in Project 1241 RE Tarantul, radar is located on the top of the mast), followed by the fire control radar MR-123 Vympel for gunboat AK-176 and rapid firing AK-630 guns, on top of the mast to install the target search radar MR 352 positiv-E (note ship missiles Project 1241 RE Tarantul not have this type of radar ).

 

Masts of Project 1241 RE Tarantul circle at an angle to the rear also mast vertical box Molniya and lower, 2 the sad column installed 2 electronic warfare systems.

Weapons of Molniya more powerful than Tarantul, Molniya fitted to 16 subsonic anti-ship missile Kh-35 Uran-E (NATO name SS-N-25 Switchblade range of 130 km, is arranged into four launched two sides clusters with 4 missiles each cluster.

Project 1241.8 Molniya gunboat equipped with AK-176M 76.2 mm, two rapid fire guns AK-630M, low-to-air missiles, Igla-1M, (with Russian weapons, M is used for the variation undergoing modernization).

Power source system of the two ships are the same are used engine CODOG (combined diesel gas turbines). The amount of water stretching of Molniya little more than a little than Tarantul due carry more missiles (550 tonnes compared with 490 tonnes).

Overall, the combat capability of the Molniya higher than with Tarantul. Vietnam People's Navy is 2 Molniya missile boat on the payroll, in addition to the 10 aircraft being built under contract for the transfer of technology from Russia in Vietnam.

For Vietnam called Tarantul only for RE Project 1241, also with the Russian Project 1241.8 own set identifier is Molniya, the use of the name for each variant is very important to help readers recognize the This difference between the two types of warships.