The Raptor (Project 03160) high-speed patrol boats are designed and built by Open JSC Pella Shipyard based in Leningrad, Russia. The boat can be deployed in a wide range of missions, including patrolling, search-and-rescue, anti-sabotage, and anti-terrorism.

The Raptor patrol boat can transport up to 20 crew members of distressed ships or aircraft and intercept and arrest lightships.

The Russian Navy initially procured a series of eight boats by 2015. Four of them were rolled out in 2014, while the remaining four were delivered by the end of 2015. The boats are operated by the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet and are based at the Leningrad Naval Base. A total of 17 Raptor boats were commissioned by the Russian Navy as of November 2020.

Orders and deliveries of Raptor patrol boat

The first Raptor patrol boat was launched in August 2013 and underwent builder’s sea trials in the same month. The boat was demonstrated to the Russian Navy in September.

The Russian Ministry of Defence awarded a contract to OJSC Pella to build and deliver a series of eight patrol boats for the Russian Navy in June 2014.

The first Raptor boat in the series was launched in June 2014, followed by the second in August 2014. The state acceptance board signed an acceptance act for a patrol boat in March 2015 and the boat was commissioned into the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet in August 2015.

The Navy conducted tests to evaluate the navigation and communications systems, life support systems, airborne weapons, as well as running and seaworthiness of the patrol boats before commissioning them into the Black Sea Fleet.

The crew of the Raptor patrol boat underwent comprehensive and multi-level training at the Joint Training Centre of the Russian Navy in St Petersburg.

The Raptor patrol boats are operational with the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla.

Project 03160 patrol boat design and features

The Project 03160 patrol boat accommodates two crew and 22 personnel members. It has a maximum length of 17m, a maximum width of 4m, a fixed height of 3.5m, and a depth of 0.9m. It has special cabins to house anti-terrorist groups, divers, lifeguards, and inspection and rescue teams.

The boat is integrated with modern navigation systems, communications, radar, and radios to provide high-navigability. The bridge is equipped with operator workstations and consoles for command and control.

Weaponry

The boat is fitted with a remotely operated weapon station to hold a 14.5mm machine gun, as well as a gyro-stabilised, electro-optical module. The gun has a firing range of 2,000m and is used for defence against weapon systems and armoured targets. The electro-optical module provides target detection up to a range of 3,000m.

Two bracket mounts are fitted at the stern to carry a 7.62mm 6P41 Pecheneg machine gun each. The gun has an aiming range of 1,500m and a rate-of-fire between 600 and 800 rounds a minute.

Protection features of Raptor patrol boat

Armour panels fitted on the hull provide level 5 and 5A protection against bullets. The 39mm-thick bulletproof glass windows offer ballistic protection for the occupants.

Propulsion and performance

Powered by a 2,000hp engine, the Raptor patrol boat can reach a top speed of approximately 50k. It can execute short-range missions in a radius of up to 100 nautical miles (160km) from its operating base.

The boat is capable of operating in coastal waters, river estuaries, and straits both during the day and at night.