The Riga class was analogous to World War II era destroyer escorts.

The class introduced high pressure steam turbines and new radars into Soviet service.

The machinery comprised two TV-9 steam turbines with two boilers and had initial problems with reliability.

With their basic capabilities, moderate size and ease of operation, they made perfect export vessels for smaller navies where such ships could easily fill the multi-purpose role, taking the place of large minesweepers and actual destroyers.

This included fitting anti-submarine rocket launchers (RBU-2500) new radar and adding permanent ballast for improved stability.