Naval Systems

Ondatra-class landing craft (Project 1176)

Also known as
  • Project 1176
  • Project 1176 Akula
  • Project 1176 Akula class
  • Project 1176 landing craft
  • Project 1176E
  • Akula-class landing craft
  • Ondatra
  • Ondatra class
  • Ondatra-class landing craft

The Ondatra-class landing craft, Soviet Project 1176 Akula, is a small mechanized landing craft built around an open cargo deck, bow ramp, and shallow-draft hull for short-range amphibious transport. Soviet and Russian shipyards produced the class from 1971 to 2009, with sources documenting a 24-meter craft able to carry a tank, trucks, troops, or 50 tons of cargo and wartime losses in the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.

Ondatra-class landing craft (Project 1176), Landing craft mechanized, Naval Systems
Image source: MDBprojectT-36-1990Vladivostok.jpg

Role in Conflicts

2014 Russia-Ukraine War
Mobility & Logistics

Project 1176 Akula/Ondatra landing craft are documented in the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War on both sides: Oryx lists Russian and Ukrainian Project 1176 craft as damaged, and Ukraine's Defence Intelligence reported that a Russian Project 1176 Akula sank after a November 10, 2023 surface-drone attack in Vuzka Bay, occupied Crimea.

Role details
Profile / Specs

Specifications

Crew
4-6
Displacement
60.3 t standard; 118.7 t full load
Length
24 m
Beam
5.2-6.0 m
Draft
1.5-1.55 m
Speed
11-11.5 knots
Range
330 nmi at 10 knots; 500 nmi at 5 knots
Autonomy
2-3 days
Capacity
1 T-72 tank or 2 GAZ-66 trucks or 20 troops or 50 tons of cargo
Cargo area
12.5 m x 3.6 m
Propulsion
2 x 3D12 diesel engines, 2 shafts
Sensors
Mius or Don navigation radar
Design And Service Context

The Project 1176 design is a compact DKA landing craft with an open dry cargo hold and a bow ramp, suited to short amphibious moves, littoral transport, and ship-to-shore cargo work rather than independent blue-water operations.

Cargo deck

WeaponSystems.net lists a 12.5 m by 3.6 m cargo area, while KCHF and RussianShips describe capacity for one T-72, two GAZ-66 trucks, 20 troops, or 50 tons of cargo.

Builder spread

Sources identify Azovskiy/Azov, Rybinsk/Vympel, and Vladivostok/Vostochnaya yards, with later hull lists also showing Sokolskaya and export construction context.

Operators

RussianShips.info records Soviet/Russian service plus Project 1176-family craft associated with Georgia, Ukraine, and Yemen, including the Ukrainian Svatove lineage.

Variants

Project 1176 is the Soviet/Russian Akula design reported by NATO as the Ondatra class; Project 1176E is the export designation.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Project 1176EExport designation

WeaponSystems.net lists Project 1176E as the export designation, while RussianShips.info records Project 1176E deliveries to North Yemen in the 1980s.

Sources: Project 1176 Akula class, Landing craft - Project 1176, 1176E

Documented Transport Loads

The class is documented as a short-range landing craft for vehicles, troops, and coastal logistics rather than a shipboard weapon platform.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
BTR-82/BTR-82A, 8x8 amphibious armored personnel carrier, Armored VehiclesBTR-82/BTR-82AArmored personnel carrier

Ukraine's Ministry of Defence said the Serna/Akula craft hit in Vuzka Bay were carrying crew and armored vehicles including BTR-82s.

Sources: Ukraine MoD Black Sea Fleet losses

Tor-M2, Short-range surface-to-air missile system, Air DefenseTor-M2Mobile air-defense system

The same Ukrainian MoD account described Russian use of Serna- and Akula-class craft to move assault forces and air-defense systems such as Tor-M2 to difficult coastal areas.

Sources: Ukraine MoD Black Sea Fleet losses

Related Russian Landing Craft

The Ondatra sits in the same Russian small-landing-craft ecosystem as faster or newer designs documented in Black Sea operations.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
Serna-class landing craft (Project 11770), Air-cavity fast landing craft, Naval SystemsSerna-class landing craft (Project 11770)Air-cavity landing craft

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine identified a Project 11770 Serna craft and a Project 1176 Akula craft as the two Russian landing craft sunk in the November 2023 Vuzka Bay attack.

Sources: Russian Landing Boats Which Were Hit in Crimea Sink to Bottom

Timeline

Ondatra-class landing craft (Project 1176) Key Events

  1. Class enters service

    WeaponSystems.net lists the Project 1176 Akula class as entering service in 1971, marking the start of the Ondatra-class landing craft's naval career.

    Sources: Project 1176 Akula class

  2. Oryx records Project 1176 wartime losses

    Oryx's naval-loss log for the Russian invasion of Ukraine includes a damaged Russian Project 1176 Ondatra-class craft and a damaged Ukrainian Project 1176 landing boat, Svatove.

    Sources: List Of Naval Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine

  3. Crimea drone attack sinks an Akula/Ondatra craft

    Ukraine's Defence Intelligence reported that a Russian Project 1176 Akula and a Project 11770 Serna sank after a Ukrainian surface-drone attack in Vuzka Bay, occupied Crimea.

    Sources: Russian Landing Boats Which Were Hit in Crimea Sink to Bottom

Media

Ondatra-class landing craft (Project 1176) Images

Ondatra-class landing craft (Project 1176), Landing craft mechanized, Naval Systems - view 1
Source: D-704 in Amur Bay, 2010-07-25
Ondatra-class landing craft (Project 1176), Landing craft mechanized, Naval Systems - view 2
Source: U-763.jpg
Ondatra-class landing craft (Project 1176), Landing craft mechanized, Naval Systems - view 3
Source: RIAN archive 711423 Vostok 2010 Strategic Exercise in Vladivostok.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
Serna-class landing craft (Project 11770), Air-cavity fast landing craft, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsSerna-class landing craft (Project 11770)Air-cavity fast landing craftProject 11770 Serna is a Russian air-cavity fast landing craft built for over-the-beach movement of vehicles, cargo, and assault troops to unimproved shores. KCHF and RussianShips list a 25.65 m, five-person craft capable of 35 knots and carrying one main battle tank, two BTRs, 92 troops, or 50 tons of cargo. During the Russia-Ukraine War, Russian Serna craft appeared as Black Sea logistics and air-defense transport targets around Snake Island and occupied Crimea.
Dyugon-class landing craft (Project 21820), Air-cavity landing craft, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsDyugon-class landing craft (Project 21820)Air-cavity landing craftThe Dyugon-class landing craft, Project 21820, is a Russian air-cavity fast landing craft developed by the Nizhny Novgorod Central Design Bureau for Hydrofoils as a larger successor to the Serna family. Built across Volga, Vostochnaya Verf, and Yaroslavl shipyards, the class moves tanks, armored vehicles, cargo, or marines to unimproved shores, and Russia used Dyugon craft around Snake Island in 2022 as part of Black Sea logistics and air-defense reinforcement activity.
Zubr-class air-cushion landing craft (Project 12322 Pomornik), Air-cushioned landing craft, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsZubr-class air-cushion landing craft (Project 12322 Pomornik)Air-cushioned landing craftThe Zubr class is a Soviet-designed Project 12322 Pomornik air-cushion landing craft developed by Almaz for high-speed amphibious lift. It can carry tanks, armored vehicles, troops, cargo, or naval mines directly onto prepared or unprepared shores, using bow and stern ramps and integral close-in armament. Greece operates the type as the Kefalonia/PTM class, while China acquired and locally expanded the related Project 958/Type 958 line.
Project 1171 Tapir / Alligator-class large landing ship, Large landing ship / landing ship tank, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsProject 1171 Tapir / Alligator-class large landing shipLarge landing ship / landing ship tankThe Project 1171 Tapir / Alligator-class large landing ship is a Soviet-designed beachable landing ship tank built by Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad. The class was created to move troops, tanks, vehicles, ammunition, and cargo directly onto shore or through captured ports, and Russian use of the type as a Sea of Azov resupply ship was documented during the 2022 phase of the Russia-Ukraine War.
BK-16 high-speed assault / landing craft (Project 02510), High-speed assault and landing craft, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsBK-16 high-speed assault / landing craft (Project 02510)High-speed assault and landing craftThe BK-16 is a Russian high-speed assault and landing craft of Project 02510, developed by Kalashnikov Concern's Rybinsk Shipyard for coastal, river-mouth, and unequipped-shore operations. Public sources distinguish domestic Project 02510 craft from the BK-16E export model, with both centered on troop transport, landing support, patrol, and modular fire-support or specialist mission fits; Russian craft are documented in wartime use or losses in the Black Sea and occupied Crimea during the Russia-Ukraine war.
Ivan Gren-class landing ship (Project 11711), Large landing ship / landing ship tank, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsIvan Gren-class landing ship (Project 11711)Large landing ship / landing ship tankThe Ivan Gren-class landing ship (Project 11711) is a Russian large landing ship / landing ship tank designed by Nevskoe Design Bureau and built by Yantar Shipyard. The class carries troops, armored vehicles, cargo, helicopters, and obstacle-laying payloads for amphibious and naval transport missions; Pyotr Morgunov was part of Russia's Black Sea amphibious force during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Sources

Landing Craft D-106 - Project 1176 / Ondatra ClassPublisher: Black Sea Fleet / KCHF.RU | Note: Supports the Project 1176 Ondatra class designation, Soviet and Russian Navy builder and service context, and core specifications including dimensions, propulsion, range, and cargo capacity. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Project 1176 Akula classPublisher: WeaponSystems.net | Note: Supports the NATO reporting name, origin, producer context, service entry, production dates, builder list, and specifications for the class. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Landing craft - Project 1176, 1176EPublisher: RussianShips.info | Note: Supports Project 1176 Akula and Project 1176E designations, hull and builder context, export/operator context, and specifications including capacity, range, autonomy, and sensors. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Russian Landing Boats Which Were Hit in Crimea Sink to BottomPublisher: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine | Note: Supports direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War use/loss context by identifying a Russian Project 1176 Akula craft sunk after a November 10, 2023 surface-drone attack in Vuzka Bay, occupied Crimea. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Ukraine MoD Black Sea Fleet lossesPublisher: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine | Note: Supports direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War context for the Vuzka Bay USV strike on a Project 1176 Akula craft and supports transport-role claims involving armored vehicles and coastal logistics. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Two Russia's Landing Craft Were DestroyedPublisher: Defense Express | Note: Supports direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War context by reporting DIU confirmation that a Project 1176 Akula/Ondatra craft and a Project 11770 Serna craft were destroyed in Vuzka Bay. | Accessed: 2026-07-03List Of Naval Losses During The Russian Invasion Of UkrainePublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War context by listing a Russian Project 1176 Ondatra-class landing craft and a Ukrainian Project 1176 landing boat, Svatove, as damaged. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Ukraine Naval drone successfully hits two Russian landing craftPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War context for the November 2023 Vuzka Bay attack involving an Ondatra-class Project 1176 craft and a Serna-class craft. | Accessed: 2026-07-03MDBprojectT-36-1990Vladivostok.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain context for the primary gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-03D-704 in Amur Bay, 2010-07-25Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the second gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-03U-763.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the third gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-03RIAN archive 711423 Vostok 2010 Strategic Exercise in Vladivostok.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the Vostok 2010 Project 1176/Ondatra landing-craft gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-03