Corvette “Hetman Ivan Mazepa “Photo: mil.in.ua
The future flagship of the Ukrainian Navy, the Hetman Ivan Mazepa corvette, has recently been put to sea for sea trials. The ship, built from steel produced before the start of the full-scale invasion at Metinvest Group’s MMKI and Azovstal plants, has become a symbol of Ukraine’s resilience and engineering prowess. This was reported by TimeUkraineIsrael with reference to the press service of Metinvest.
On 16 October 2024, the Ukrainian Navy published a video of the Hetman Ivan Mazepa being tested at sea. During the manoeuvres, a torpedo was fired from the corvette, and a helicopter landing exercise was conducted.
A ship made of steel of indestructibility
The history of the Hetman Ivan Mazepa corvette is already written in the history of Ukraine. The corvette, which will become the backbone of the newest Ukrainian navy, is the first Ada-type ship built for the Ukrainian Navy. Its hull is made of steel from Metinvest’s Mariupol plants, known for their involvement in the defence of Mariupol.
Ada corvettes are multi-purpose littoral combat ships that perform patrol, anti-submarine and air defence missions. Ships of this class have become one of the most popular among modern warships due to their versatility and high manoeuvrability.
Construction of the ship began in September 2021 at RMK Marine Shipyard in Turkey. Metinvest supplied 1,000 tonnes of hot-rolled plates for its production. Some of the steel was delivered directly from Mariupol, while the rest came from a plant in Italy. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the subsequent destruction of Azovstal, this metal has become particularly valuable, symbolising the resilience of the Ukrainian people.
Azovstal: a symbol of resilience
Despite the loss of its facilities, Azovstal remains an important factor in Ukraine’s defence. Azovstal’s steel was used to build iconic facilities such as the newest shelter over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and one of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe. The plant’s steel is also used in other military projects, including the production of modern Ukrainian weapons.
Yuriy Ryzhenkov, CEO of Metinvest Group, stressed that even after the loss of the Mariupol plants, their steel continues to “serve” the Ukrainian army and helps Ukraine move closer to victory.
The flagship of a new era
On 2 October 2022, the corvette was solemnly launched in Istanbul. First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska became the ship’s godmother. Today, two years after the launch, the ship is ready for combat missions, and its first sea trials will herald a new stage in the development of the Ukrainian fleet.
Corvettes of the Ada type: technical characteristics
Ships of this type are designed for anti-submarine operations and patrolling the high seas. They are built with stealth technologies that reduce their visibility in various surveillance spectra, including radar and infrared.
Specifications of the Hetman Ivan Mazepa corvette (Ada type):
- Length: 99.5 metres
- Width: 14.4 metres
- Speed: 29 knots
- Sailing range: 3500 miles
- Crew: up to 106 people
Thanks to a powerful propulsion system consisting of a gas turbine and two diesel engines, the Corvette can reach a maximum speed of 29 knots and perform missions up to 3,500 miles from base.
The launch of the Hetman Ivan Mazepa corvette is an important step in the revival of the Ukrainian Navy. This ship not only represents the engineering excellence of the Ukrainian steel industry, but also becomes a symbol of our nation’s invincibility on the sea frontiers.
Video: from YouTube
The Hetman Ivan Mazepa corvette is not just a ship. It is a symbol of the revival of the Ukrainian Navy, which continues to fight for Ukraine’s independence and security, demonstrating the power and courage of the Ukrainian military.
