Ukraine’s first Milgem-class corvette launched

The first Ukrainian Navy’s Milgem (Ada-class) corvette was launched on 2 October at Turkish Istanbul Naval Shipyard.

The launching of the corvette Hetman Ivan Mazepa was attended by Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and First Lady Olena Zelensky.

Turkish shipbuilding company RMK Marine is building two units for the Ukrainian Navy. Further details about the vessels were not revealed.

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.