Reports: Abkhaz Coast-Guard Received “Shmel” Class Boats from Russia

A journalistic investigation by the military observer of the Kviris Palitra weekly established that the Abkhaz coast guard received four “Shmel” class (type 1204) small river patrol monitors from Russia. The vessels took part in August 2004 military excercises, which were held by the Abkhazian forces.

“Shmel” class are 77.4 ton, 28 meter boats that are armed with one 76.2 mm gun and 18 launch tubes for “Grad” 122mm missile system. The class of boats was created in the 1960s to patrol the rivers on the Soviet-Chinese border. They are largely unsuitable for open seas operations, but can be used for protecting harbors.