Class overview
Name	Project 1176 Akula (NATO: Ondatra class)
Builders	Azovskiy Rybinsk Vladivostok
Operators	Soviet Navy  Russian Navy  Ukrainian Navy  Border Police of Georgia
Built	1971–2009
In commission	1971–present
Completed	42[1]
General characteristics
Type	Landing craft
Displacement	107.3 tons full load
Length	24.5 m (80 ft 5 in)
Beam	5.2 m (17 ft 1 in)
Draught	1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)
Depth of hold	3.9 m (12 ft 10 in)
Propulsion	2 Type 3D12 diesel engines «Барнаултрансмаш» 3Д12 или 3Д12А (Д-448) или 3Д6С2 (Д-163, Д-184, Д-365) или 3Д6С2-081 (Д-57) 600 bhp (450 kW) 2 x 300 л.с. (3Д12А (Д-448) или 2 x 150 л.с. (3Д6С2, 3Д6С2-081) 2 shaft
Speed	11.5 knots (21 km/h)
Range	330 nmi (610 km; 380 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h) 500 nmi (930 km; 580 mi) at 5 knots (9 km/h)
Endurance	2 days
Capacity	1 T-72 tank or 22 troops or 50 ton cargo
Complement	5
Sensors and processing systems	1 Mius (navigation)

The Ondatra class Soviet designation Project 1176 Akula ("shark") is a class of landing craft built for the Soviet Navy and Russian Navy between 1971 and 2009.

Construction

The vessels were built by the Azovskiy Shipyard, Rybinsk Shipyard and Vladivostok Shipyard. Over 40 vessels of this type were built for service with the Soviet and Russian navies, and additional vessels were built for export. The vessels are designated as type DKA Desantanyy Kater and are similar in type to the US Navy Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM).^[2][3][4]

The Ondatra landing craft have a limited range, of two days and 330–500 nmi, 610–930 km, 380–580 mi) and have a shallow draught that make them ideal for amphibious operations and littoral combat. The Ivan Rogov-class landing ships carry one Ondatra for use as a tug for its Lebed-class air-cushioned landing craft.^[5][6][7]

Although still under construction in 2009, the Project 1176 is a 1970s design that is reaching the end of its operational life. The class may be replaced by the newer Project 21820 Dyugon-class landing craft that is currently entering service in the Russian Navy. The Dyugon-class vessels carry two main battle tanks compared to the Ondatra's single tank, it is armed (2 MPTU-1 of 14.5 mm), and can attain 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph) compared to the Ondatra's 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph).^[8]

Ships

42 vessels are documented for the Soviet Navy and Russian Navy.^[9] On 10 November 2023 one Ondatra-class craft was reported destroyed by Ukrainian intelligence near Chornomors'ke, in northern Crimea by a Ukrainian sea drone.^[10]