According to a tweet published by Enes Balci on June 28, 2023, progress on the construction of the Ukrainian corvette Hetman Ivan Mazepa can be seen in Istanbul.
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Ukrainian Ada class corvette Hetman Ivan Mazepa during the launching ceremony. (Picture source: Ukrainian First Lady)
Named after the historical figure Ivan Mazepa, the Ukrainian Cossack leader who famously opposed Peter the Great, the ship was officially laid down on 7 September 2021 and launched on 2 October 2022.
In the 1990s, the Ukrainian Navy primarily comprised of naval vessels inherited from the Soviet Black Sea Fleet and Soviet Border Troops. However, economic hardship after Ukraine's independence led to many of these vessels being scrapped or sold.
Following the 2014 revolution, relations between Ukraine and Russia soured, culminating in the annexation of Crimea by Russia. This resulted in most of the Ukrainian Navy, including major ships like the corvettes Lutsk and Ternopil, being seized.
The drastic reduction in the navy's combat capabilities necessitated the acquisition of new ships. A memorandum was subsequently signed with Turkey, leading to the purchase of Baykar Bayraktar TB2 attack drones and the construction of two corvettes, with an option for two more.
Technical data
The Ukrainian corvette Hetman Ivan Mazepa, an Ada-class vessel, measures 99.56 meters in length, has a beam of 14.4 meters, and a draft of 3.89 meters.
With a displacement of 2,300 long tons, it operates via a CODAG power plant with an installed capacity of 31,640 kW. The propulsion is achieved by one gas turbine, two diesel engines, and two shafts.
The vessel has an economical speed of 15 knots and a maximum speed of 29 knots. Its range is 3,500 nautical miles at 15 knots. The Hetman Ivan Mazepa can operate for up to 21 days with logistic support, or for 10 days autonomously. It houses a crew of 93, including aviation officers, with additional accommodation for up to 106.
Its sensor and processing systems include the GENESIS CMS, SMART-S Mk2 search radar, sonar, GPS, LAN, ECDIS, UniMACS 3000 IPMS, X-band radar, and a fire control radar. For electronic warfare and decoys, it uses Aselsan ARES-2N, laser/RF systems, ASW jammers, and SSTD.
The ship is armed with a 76 mm OTO Melara Super Rapid gun, a 35 mm Aselsan GOKDENIZ, and two 12.7 mm Aselsan STAMP. Its missile system includes eight Harpoon anti-surface missiles, VL MICA-M anti-aircraft missiles, and two 324 mm MU90 torpedoes.
The aviation facilities of the Hetman Ivan Mazepa can accommodate S-70B Seahawk ASW helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).
