Olekma

The Project 1806 'Olekma' class is a series of specialized physical fields control ships designed for the Soviet Navy. These auxiliary vessels are engineered to measure, analyze, and monitor the acoustic, magnetic, electromagnetic, and electric signatures of submarines and surface warships. Their primary function is to assist in signature reduction efforts, helping Soviet and Russian vessels evade detection by Western acoustic and magnetic sensors.

Developed in the late 1960s by the Zelenodolsk Design Bureau, the Project 1806 class was created to replace aging signature-measurement platforms with more advanced, purpose-built vessels. The lead ship of the class entered service with the Soviet Navy in 1973, with construction continuing at the Zelenodolsk Shipyard until the early 1990s. Approximately 19 vessels were completed across the base Project 1806 and the upgraded Project 18061 variants. Several of these ships remain active in the Russian Navy's Northern, Pacific, Baltic, and Black Sea Fleets, supporting modern submarine silencing programs.