Naval Systems

Moma class (Project 861M) intelligence ship

The Moma class (Project 861M) is a Soviet and Russian signals-intelligence ship conversion of Polish-built Project 861 survey vessels from Stocznia Polnocna in Gdansk. The class was converted for electronic intelligence work from 1970 onward, retained light self-defense armament, and included ships such as Liman and Kildin that remained in Russian service for decades.

Profile

Origin
Poland
Built by
Stocznia Polnocna Shipyard
Type
Signals intelligence ship class
Service note
Cold War and post-Soviet service
Produced
1967-1973
Number built
29 Project 861 survey vessels; 9 converted to Project 861M intelligence ships
Developed from
Project 861 hydrographic survey vessel

Also Known As

  • Moma class
  • Project 861M
  • Project 861M / Moma class
  • Moma-class intelligence ship
  • Moma-class survey vessel

Specifications

Standard displacement
1,080 t
Full load displacement
1,560 t
Length
73.32 m
Beam
10.8 m
Draft
3.9 m
Speed
17.3 knots
Range
9,700 nmi at 11 knots
Autonomy
35 days
Propulsion
2 x 1,800 hp Zgoda-Sulzer 6TD-48 diesels, 2 controllable pitch propellers, and diesel generators
Crew
73 (11 officers)
Armament
Strela SAM system with 16 missiles
Electronics
Bizan ESM radar, 2 Don navigation radars, MG-329 Sheksna sonar, and multiple special electronics suites

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service
Project 861M conversions entered Soviet and Russian naval intelligence service from 1970 onward; individual hulls such as Liman and Kildin remained in Russian service for decades.
Used by
Soviet Navy, Russian Navy
Wars
Syrian Civil War

Conflict Usage

The Moma-class SIGINT ship Liman was reported to have supported Russian operations in and around Syria before sinking in 2017; later reporting also placed the Moma-class Kildin off Syria/Tartus in 2025. This supports conflict use as intelligence/surveillance support, not direct strike employment.

Timeline

Moma class (Project 861M) intelligence ship Key Events

  1. Project 861 production begins

    KCHF describes the parent Project 861 survey vessels as being built in Gdansk, Poland during the 1967-1973 period, with 29 vessels completed.

    Sources: KCHF.ru: Intelligence Ship Kildin - Project 861M / Moma Class

  2. Kildin converted to intelligence duty

    The Kildin page says the ship was converted to intelligence service in 1970 and remained active in the Russian Navy.

    Sources: KCHF.ru: Intelligence Ship Kildin - Project 861M / Moma Class

  3. Liman converted to intelligence duty

    The Liman page says the ship was converted to an intelligence ship in 1989 after earlier service as a hydrographic survey vessel.

    Sources: KCHF.ru: Intelligence Ship Liman - Project 861M / Moma Class

  4. Liman lost in the Black Sea

    USNI reported that Liman sank after a collision in the Black Sea, and that it had recently returned from the Mediterranean after supporting Russian operations in and around Syria.

    Sources: USNI News: Sinking of Surveillance Ship Highlights Increase in Russian Navy Operations

  5. Kildin reported off Tartus

    Defense News reported that Kildin was still stationed and gathering intelligence off Syria's Tartus port when the ship experienced a fire at sea.

    Sources: Defense News: Russian spy ship caught fire off Syria’s coast, its broadcast recorded

Moma class (Project 861M) intelligence ship Images

Related Weapon Systems

Vishnya class (Project 864) intelligence ship, Signals intelligence collection ship class, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsVishnya class (Project 864) intelligence shipSignals intelligence collection ship classThe Vishnya class (Project 864), also known as the Meridian class, is a Soviet-designed signals intelligence collection ship class built in Poland for the Soviet and later Russian Navy. The ships are purpose-built SIGINT and COMINT collectors with satellite-link antennas, a modest self-defense fit, and long-endurance blue-water service, while the Priazovye hull was sent into the eastern Mediterranean during the 2013 Syria crisis.

Sources