Project 58181 Centaur began as a Ukrainian armored landing-craft design derived from the Gyurza-M gunboat lineage and was revised during construction into Project 58503 Centaur-LK. Built at Kuznya na Rybalskomu for the Ukrainian Navy, the class combines a bow-ramp troop compartment, waterjet propulsion, armored crew and landing spaces, remote weapon stations, 80 mm rocket launchers, and wartime use as a small assault, evacuation, minelaying, and fire-support craft.
Ukrainian reporting on a Centaur-LK boat during the full-scale war described troop landings in southern operations, onboard fire support during insertions and withdrawals, minelaying markings, rescue of another damaged boat, missile-strike damage, and two Russian cruise missiles reportedly shot down with portable air-defense missiles carried aboard.
Role detailsThe public wartime record is centered on a Ukrainian Navy/Bryz report summarized by Defence Express and expanded by Ukrainian Military Pages. It identifies a Centaur-LK boat in combat service rather than only in trials or procurement reporting.
The boat was credited with multiple troop landings or evacuations during southern de-occupation operations and with firing in support of troops during insertions and withdrawals.
Mission markings and Ukrainian reporting point to mine-barrier work and one search-and-rescue operation under combat conditions.
The crew reportedly used portable air-defense missiles carried on board to shoot down two Russian cruise missiles.
Centaur sits between a small armored gunboat and a landing craft. The original Project 58181 design came from the Gyurza-M lineage, while the Project 58503 Centaur-LK boats added a bow ramp, troop compartment, waterjets, armored mission spaces, and a heavier small-craft weapons fit for river and littoral assault tasks.
Sources describe the design as based on the Project 58155 Gyurza-M armored gunboat family.
The craft has a forward ramp and a protected troop compartment for landing marines or special personnel on an unimproved shore.
The revised Centaur-LK fit combines two light remote weapon modules, an 80 mm S-8 rocket launcher installation, portable air-defense missiles, smoke launchers, and mine-laying provisions.
The public sources distinguish the original Project 58181 Centaur design from the revised Project 58503 Centaur-LK configuration built by Kuznya na Rybalskomu.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Project 58181 Centaur | Original landing-assault craft design | Ukrainian Military Pages describes Project 58181 as the SRDSC-designed Centaur concept based on Project 58155 Gyurza-M. |
| Project 58503 Centaur-LK | Revised production configuration | Ukrainian Military Pages says the boats were revised during construction at Kuznya na Rybalskomu and received the new Project 58503 Centaur-LK designation. |
| L450 Stanislav | Named boat | The 2018 Ukrainian Military Pages boat list identifies L450 Stanislav as the second launched Centaur-LK boat with yard number 01033. |
| L451 Malyn | Named boat | The same boat list identifies L451 Malyn as the first launched Centaur-LK boat with yard number 01032. |
Ukrainian Military Pages described the Project 58181 Centaur landing-assault craft as an SRDSC design based on the Project 58155 Gyurza-M boat.
Sources: Ukrainian Military Pages: Project 58181 Centaur
The Project 58503 overview records the 2016 Ukrainian defense-order contract with Kuznya na Rybalskomu for the first Centaur boats.
Sources: Ukrainian Military Pages: Project 58503 Centaur-LK
The first two boats, yard numbers 01032 and 01033, were laid down at Kuznya na Rybalskomu.
Sources: Ukrainian Military Pages: Project 58503 Centaur-LK
Naval Today reported the first Centaur-class assault boat launched at Kuznya na Rybalskomu in Kyiv on 14 September 2018.
Sources: Naval Today: Ukraine launches first Centaur-class assault boat
Ukrainian Military Pages lists the third Centaur-LK hull as entering Ukrainian Navy service in 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion.
Sources: Ukrainian Military Pages: Project 58503 Centaur-LK
Defence Express summarized a Ukrainian Navy/Bryz report on a Centaur-LK boat that conducted troop landings, provided fire support, evacuated another damaged boat, survived missile damage, and reportedly shot down two Russian cruise missiles with portable missiles carried aboard.
Sources: Defence Express: Missions Performed by Centaur Boats
