Skrunda class patrol boat
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Skrunda, first of the class
From front to back, Cesis, Viesīte and Skrunda
History
One of the Skrunda class undergoing construction:
The Skrunda class was designed to replace the Storm class patrol boats (Bulta, Zibens, Linga and Lode) and was ordered in 2008 at a cost of 55.8 million euros for the whole class.
Each of the boats were named after towns and cities where battles took place for Latvia’s independence. These are Skrunda (P-05), Cēsis (P-06), Viesīte (P-07) , Jelgava (P-08) and Rezēkne (P-09).
Initially, the first 3 vessels were built by Abeking & Rasmussen (Skrunda, Cēsis, Viesīte) while the last 2
(Jelgava and Rezēkne) were built in Riga Shipyard following a partnership deal between AaR and Riga Shipyard. All of which were made of Aluminium and were based off of the civilian SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) AaR had made before.
Table of when each boat was laid down:
The boats for the most part had a peaceful career, mostly relegated to patrol and civilian tasks. Some time in 2014, Skrunda had spotted an unnamed Kilo-class submarine as well as the corvette Soobrazitelny skirting around Latvia’s territorial waters. The patrol boat then continued to track the two until they left Latvia’s EEZ.
In 2020, Skrunda took part in naval exercises along side USS Ross and other allied ships in exercises.
Another view from USS Ross as Skrunda does a passing exercise
In 2021, Jelgava partook in naval exercises ship. Jelgava specifically exercised alongside the Estonian and Lithuanian navies as well as the UK expeditionary force.
Below is Jelgava (Center right) alongside HMS Lancaster, ENS Wambola, LNS Selvis and LNS Jotvingis
Skrunda on the other hand joined Countermeasures Group 1 in Ordnance disposal missions off the Coast of Riga and Irbe Straight as part of operation Open spirit.
Skrunda with EML Ugandi
Skrunda alongside FGS Datteln
In 2023, Lithuania had expressed interest in an up gunned version of the class equipped with a 30mm cannon. However, no information about it’s progress or cancellation is known.
Specifications:
Skrunda displaying it’s M2 Browning
Armament: 2x 12mm M2 Browning machine guns
Length: 13m
Width: 25.7m
Propulsion: 2 MAN D 2842 engines, approximately 1,600hp
Range:1900
Displacement:125 tons
Complement: ranges between 8-40
Armour:None
Video of a walk on Jelgava in Kiel 2022
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