Naval Systems

Moma class (Project 861M) intelligence ship

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

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 were later reported in Russian naval intelligence activity around Syria and Tartus.

Moma class (Project 861M) intelligence ship, Signals intelligence ship class, Naval Systems
Image source: Wikimedia Commons: SSV-416 "Jupiter" 1.jpg

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Poland
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

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
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

Project 861M Hull Context

Project 861M was a conversion path for selected Polish-built Project 861 hydrographic hulls rather than a new-build intelligence-ship design. RussianShips.info lists nine Project 861M medium intelligence ships and separates later Project 861M2 and unnumbered conversions, while the KCHF Kildin and Liman pages show how individual hulls entered intelligence service in different years.

Ship or groupConversion or service markerWhy it matters
KildinConverted in 1970; listed by KCHF as still in serviceLong-service example later reported gathering intelligence off Tartus in 2025.
LimanConverted in 1989 after Black Sea Fleet serviceSyria-linked example reported by USNI after its 2017 sinking.
Project 861M groupNine converted medium intelligence ships listed by RussianShips.infoShows that the entry covers a conversion family, not one hull or a purpose-built combatant.

Sources: KCHF.ru: Intelligence Ship Kildin - Project 861M / Moma Class; KCHF.ru: Intelligence Ship Liman - Project 861M / Moma Class; RussianShips.info: Project 861 Hydrographic Survey Vessels.

Media

Moma class (Project 861M) intelligence ship Images

Moma class (Project 861M) intelligence ship, Signals intelligence ship class, Naval Systems - view 1
Source: Wikimedia Commons: Liman and Ekvator in port of Sevastopol (panoramio 1174).jpg
Moma class (Project 861M) intelligence ship, Signals intelligence ship class, Naval Systems - view 2
Source: Wikimedia Commons: Liman in port of Sevastopol (panoramio 1174) (cropped).jpg
Moma class (Project 861M) intelligence ship, Signals intelligence ship class, Naval Systems - view 3
Source: Wikimedia Commons: Soviet SIGINT ship off USS Midway (CV-41), circa in 1978.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
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Sources

KCHF.ru: Intelligence Ship Kildin - Project 861M / Moma ClassPublisher: Black Sea Fleet Information Resource | Note: Supports the class's Polish shipyard origin, conversion history, service context, and key specifications. | Accessed: 2026-07-01KCHF.ru: Intelligence Ship Liman - Project 861M / Moma ClassPublisher: Black Sea Fleet Information Resource | Note: Supports the class's conversion history, Liman's service history, and technical specifications. | Accessed: 2026-07-01RussianShips.info: Project 861 Hydrographic Survey VesselsPublisher: RussianShips.info | Note: Supports the Project 861 production list, Project 861M conversion group, named converted hulls, and shared Project 861M specification context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01USNI News: Sinking of Surveillance Ship Highlights Increase in Russian Navy OperationsPublisher: U.S. Naval Institute | Note: Supports 2011 Syrian Civil War direct conflict-use context: Liman was reported to have recently supported Russian operations in and around Syria before its 2017 sinking. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Defense News: Russian spy ship caught fire off Syria’s coast, its broadcast recordedPublisher: Defense News | Note: Supports 2011 Syrian Civil War direct conflict-use context: Kildin was reported stationed and gathering intelligence off the Syrian port of Tartus in January 2025. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Commons: SSV-416 "Jupiter" 1.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports primary image provenance and public-domain licensing context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Commons: Liman and Ekvator in port of Sevastopol (panoramio 1174).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance and reuse context for the Liman and Ekvator image. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Commons: Liman in port of Sevastopol (panoramio 1174) (cropped).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance and reuse context for the cropped Liman image. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Commons: Soviet SIGINT ship off USS Midway (CV-41), circa in 1978.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance and reuse context for a representative Moma-class image. | Accessed: 2026-07-01