Balzam class, also reported as Project 1826 Rubidiy and NATO Balzam, is a Soviet intelligence-collection ship class built by Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad for SIGINT and communications interception. Open-source class metadata places it between the earlier Primor'ye surveillance ships and the later Vishnya intelligence ship family, with four hulls completed from 1980 to 1987 and a defensive fit that included Strela-2 launchers and AK-630 close-in weapons.
No reliable open-source evidence found tying the Balzam class to a named armed conflict. Sources identify it as a Soviet/Russian SIGINT/COMINT intelligence ship class and document monitoring of exercises such as RIMPAC 2016, but exercises are not armed conflicts.
RussianShips lists the class with two four-cell 9K32 Strela-2 launchers in its defensive armament.
| Launched item | Item type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Short-range air-defense missile | RussianShips lists the Balzam class with 2 x 4 9K32 Strela-2 launchers as part of the ship's defensive fit. Sources: Project 1826 Rubidiy / Balzam Class |
Commons class metadata places Balzam between earlier Primor'ye surveillance ships and the later Vishnya intelligence-ship family.
| Connection | Class | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Primor'ye-class surveillance ship | Balzam is listed as following the Primor'ye class. |
| Successor |  | Balzam is listed as followed by the Vishnya class. |
| Total produced | 4 hulls | Commons class metadata gives the class total as four. |
RussianShips lists the lead ship Lira as commissioned on 9 February 1980, marking the start of the Balzam class in service.
Sources: Project 1826 Rubidiy / Balzam Class
RussianShips lists Belomorye as commissioned on 7 February 1987, completing the four-ship class.
Sources: Project 1826 Rubidiy / Balzam Class
USNI News and AP reported a Balzam-class auxiliary general intelligence ship stationed off Hawaii while RIMPAC 2016 was underway.
Sources: Russian Spy Ship Now Off Hawaii, U.S. Navy Protecting Critical Information, Russian spy ship appears off Hawaii ahead of military drills
