Buyan-M was developed from the smaller 21630 Buyan class corvettes, which entered Russian Navy service in 2006. After the initial 3 ships of the smaller class, all subsequent ships were built of 21631 type. Buyan-Ms are larger ships compared to the initial series and incorporate greater tonnage with longer range, stealth features and vertical launch systems for Kalibr or Oniks cruise missiles. Their main mission is protection of littoral areas of vast Russian coastline and can traverse European part of Russia using river waterways.

Buyan-Ms had their baptism of fire in 2015, when a few ships deployed to the Caspian sea and attacked targets in Syria using Kalibr missiles. They repeated the attacks in 2015 and earlier in 2016, a couple of Buyan-Ms redeployed to Mediterranean and again launched Kalibrs at terrorist targets in Syria. Since the 2022 Buyans are actively used against Ukrainian targets and a few suffered combat damage either by drone strikes, sabotage or drone avoidance manoeuvring. Out of 15 ships built, 14 are currently in active service.

21631’s carry 52 crew and are powered by 4 diesel engines and pumpjets, giving the ship maximum speed of 26kts and a range of 2300NM. They are equipped with Pozitiv-M1 phased array radar system, and different ASW and ASuW sensors. The ship is also equipped TK-25 radar jammers.

It’s main armament consists of A-190 100mm gun, 1x AK-630M2 CIWS, 2×4 VLS cells for cruise missiles, Komar Surface to air missiles, anti saboteur grenade launchers and a couple of heavy machine guns.

The kit

This is the third DreamModel ship I’ve built now and the same as the two before, it is a hybrid kit, consisting of plastic parts, 3d printed parts and PE details. The model is easy to build without much difficulties, however little putty was required around the upper structure seamlines.

The good:
– overall nice fit
– all in one package – plastic main parts, 3d printed parts and PEs for details, masks for the decks

The bad:
–

Link to the in-progress article: https://vvsmodelling.com/2026/07/25/dreammodel-1700-pr-21631-buyan-m-build-article/

Model Data
Company: DreamModel / DM70014
Scale: 1:700
Aftermarket: /

Paints used: Mr.Paint
Camouflage: MRP-105 USN Modern Blue Grey FS35237, MRP-004 White