Buyan-M (Improved)
The improved Project 21631 (Buyan-M) have greater overall lengths of 246 feet, wider beams of 36 feet and slightly deeper draughts of 8 feet. As a result, displacement is increased to 950 tons under full load. The propulsion fit is the same though the improved ships are slightly slower by two knots at 26 knots but make up the difference by increased range out to 2,600 miles. The crew complement is increased from 36 to 52. Armament, detailed below, also differs some between the improved forms and the originals.
Onboard Systems
Onboard systems of the class include the MR-352 Pozitiv-M1.2 phased array radar system (downgraded for export models to the Pozitiv-ME1.2) and the 5P-10-03 Laska for fire control (this, too, downgraded to the 5P-10-03E for export). The sonar fit is the Anapa-M (downgraded to Anapa-ME for export) and the navigation aid is the MR-231 Pal series. 2 x PK-10 launchers manage a supply of decoys.
Armament
Installed armament is led by the single 100mm A-190 turreted deck gun over the forecastle. There is a single DP-65 "anti-saboteur" grenade launcher and 2 x 14.5mm KPV heavy machine guns fitted. Project 21630 ships carry a 1 x 40 A-215 Grad-M retractable Multiple-Launch Rocket System (MLRS), 1 x 4 3M47 Gibka Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launchers and 2 x 30mm AK-630 Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWSs). Project 21630 ships have 2 x 4 UKSK Vertical Launch System (VLS) supporting the Kalibr-NK or P-800 Onix missile families, 2 x 4 Komar SAM launchers, 2 x AK-630-M2 CIWs and up to 3 x 7.62mm PKM medium machine guns.
In-Service
Several of the ships have gained experience in the Russian involvement in Syria as of late. In October of 2015, three were used to launch cruise missiles at rebel targets inland, crossing through Iranian and Iraqi airspace. Accuracy of the attack was questioned by the West and praised in the East. Beyond this, deployments to the region have been regular as has the class being showcased in various joint exercises involving the Russian Navy (most recently in the summer of 2018).
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