The ships of the Project 1234 are intended for protection of sea communications, protection of escorts, struggle against the surface ships in coastal areas. For struggle against the surface ships there were six Malakhit medium range anti-ship missiles. For distribution targets in to the main missile complex there was a system of passive detection of the surface targets. The ships were armed Osa SAM system with ammunition of 20 missiles and 57-mm AK-525 stern gun. The power-plant of the ship consists of three diesel engines the common capacity 30 000 hp which rotate three propellers. The maximal speed is 34 knots. Range of navigation with speed of 12 knots makes 3500 nautical miles. Despite of rather small displacement, the ship has high seaworthy qualities and ability to use the weapon at a condition of the sea of 5 points and speeds 24 knots.

The heavily armed guided missile corvette features more gun and zenith defense capabilities compared to previous missile ships. The remarkable amount of fire power and electronics mounted on such a small platform apparently was purchased at the price of poor sea-keeping characteristics. From 1970 to 1991 there were built more then 40 corvettes. Some of them were sold to Algeria, India, Libya, Syria.

Missile corvette Vikhr laid down 21 August 1967 at the Primorskiy Shipyard, Leningrad (yard No.53), launched 22 July 1970, commissioned 30 September 1971.

The corvette served in the 166th Novorossiysk Red Banner Division of small missile ships of the 41st brigade of missile boats.

In the summer of 1977 he was transferred in tow from Sevastopol through the Strait of Gibraltar around Africa to Vladivostok and on 31 August 1977 he was transferred to the Pacific Fleet.

Vikhr was decommissioned and excluded from the lists of the Pacific Fleet on 05 July 1994 and scrapped in 1993.