Turkey Has Launched Its Second Ada-Class Corvette, The Hetman Ivan Vyhovskiy, For The Ukrainian Navy
Earlier this month, Turkish shipyard RMK Marine launched “Hetman Ivan Vygovski”, the second ADA-class [also known as MİLGEM] corvette built for the Ukrainian Navy under STM’s prime contractor. This development, which represents an essential milestone in the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ “Naval Strategy 2035” programme, was celebrated with a ceremony held at the company’s campus in Tuzla, Istanbul. The event was attended by a Ukrainian delegation, including First Lady Olena Zelenska, Minister of Defence Rustem Umierov, Commander of the Navy Oleksiy Neizhpapa, Ukrainian Ambassador to Ankara Vasıl Bodnar and Member of the Ukrainian Parliament Mustafa Abduldzhemil Jemilev. On the Turkish side, BAYKAR Technology General Manager Haluk Bayraktar, STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz and senior industry executives were present.
Speaking at the ceremony, Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Oleksiy Neizhpapa stated that Ukraine was building warships with Turkish friends in the third year of the war despite Russia’s attacks and said: “No one believed that Ukraine could build its ships. However, in the third year of the war, Ukraine is building together with our Turkish friends. We are building our ships with STM, one of the best companies. This company can build the most modern ships that can overcome any enemy. Moreover, we are in great need of such ships.”
First Lady Zelenska, wife of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that the launching ceremony of “Hetman Ivan Vygovski” was a historic event for the Ukrainian Navy and added: “We understand the importance of security better than anyone. This corvette will ensure the safety of our shared region, the common sea of our countries. We are defending not only ourselves but also the very principle of peaceful coexistence for everyone. Thus, this ship is another step on this path.”
Ukraine’s ADA, or MİLGEM, project started in 2020 with the signing of a military cooperation agreement between the parties, which includes their intentions to initiate and implement joint projects for the construction of warships, unmanned aerial vehicles and all types of turbine engines. Under the terms of the agreement, Turkey will build four Ada-class corvettes for Ukraine, two of which are definite and two of which are optional. Other terms of the agreement, including the exchange of technology, included the construction of the first corvette in Turkey and the second in the Ukrainian Ocean shipyard. However, due to the Ukraine-Russia War that started on 24 February 2022, some adjustments were made to the construction and equipment plans of the ships. As a result, it was decided that the second ship would be built in Turkey and undergo outfitting operations there too.
The construction of Ukraine’s first Ada-class corvette ‘Hetman Ivan Mazepa’ started on 07 September 2021 and was launched on 02 October 2022 in Istanbul. The ship is undergoing sea trials in Turkey, and it remains unclear when it will be delivered to Ukraine due to the current war situation. According to STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz, the second ship “Hetman Ivan Vygovski”, whose keel was laid on 18 August 2023 and launched this month, will make its first voyage in 2026 and will be delivered to the Ukrainian navy in the first quarter of 2027.
The General Specifications of Ukrainian Ada Class Corvettes are as follows:
- Length: 99.56 metres
- Width 14.4 metres
- Draft: 3.89 metres
- Displacement: 2,300 tonnes fully loaded
- Technical Systems: GENESIS combat management system produced by HAVELSAN, SMART-S Mk2 surface radar, ASELSAN ARES-2N electronic warfare system
- Range: 3,500 nautical miles at 15 knots
- Main Drive: 1 GM LM2500 gas-turbine machine, two diesel machines
- Crew: 93
- Helicopters: can carry two naval helicopters, one in the hangar and one on the platform.
Weapon Systems on Ukrainian Ada Class Corvettes:
- 1 76mm Super Rapid cannon manufactured by Oto Melara
- 8 Indigenous Neptune anti-ship missiles, Boeing’s RGM-84 Harpoon or Roketsan’s Atmaca anti-ship missile
- 2 ASELSAN production 12.7mm STAMP
- 2 units of EuroTrop production 3-gun MU-90 light torpedo
- 8 VL MICA air defence missiles manufactured by French MBDA
- 1 35mm Gökdeniz CIWS produced by ASELSAN
These corvettes, which are a symbol of resurrection for the Ukrainian Naval Forces, whose navy was almost destroyed in 2014 and 2022 due to Russian aggression, will significantly increase the capability of the existing fleet in the Azov-Black Sea region with its capabilities when it arrives in the country.