Ukraine reveals name of its first Milgem-class corvette

The first Ukrainian Navy’s Milgem (Ada-class) corvette will be named Hetman Ivan Mazepa, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed.

“In order to restore the historical traditions of the national army, to perpetuate the memory of the outstanding Ukrainian statesman Hetman of the Zaporozhian Army Ivan Mazepa, I decide to assign to the corvette of the class Ada of the Naval Forces of Ukraine the name of Hetman Ivan Mazepa and further name this corvette – Hetman Ivan Mazepa,” Zelensky stated.

The relevant Decree No. 586/2022, which has been published, confirms the information.

Turkish shipbuilding company RMK Marine Shipyard is building two units for the Ukrainian Navy.

Turkiye is also building four Milgem corvettes for the Pakistan Navy. The agreement between the countries was signed in 2018.

Under the agreement, two corvettes are to be built at Istanbul Naval Shipyard while another two at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW).

The corvettes for Pakistan are based on the Ada-class corvettes built for the Turkish Navy under the Milgem project which includes the construction of both corvettes and frigates.

The 99.5-meter corvettes that are in service with the Turkish Navy are anti-submarine warfare (ASW) oriented vessels designed to embark ASW/ASUW helicopters and fitted with Harpoon missiles and a 76 mm gun.

Employing the CODAG propulsion system, the corvettes are capable of achieving speeds of around 29 knots.

A year ago, construction started on Pakistan Navy’s final Milgem corvette.