The future flagship of the Ukrainian Naval Forces, the Hetman Ivan Mazepa corvette, has undergone sea trials. The ship's hull is made of steel produced by Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Mariupol and Azovstal of Metinvest Group before the full-scale war.
On 16 October 2024, the Naval Forces of Ukraine's Armed Forces showed a video of the Hetman Ivan Mazepa undergoing sea trials. In particular, a torpedo was fired from the corvette, and helicopter landing training was also held. The Hetman Ivan Mazepa is being tested at sea, the Ukrainian Navy showed in the video. In particular, a torpedo was fired from a corvette, and helicopter landing training was also held.
Made of indestructible steel
Ships usually become famous after achievements or adventures - such as the mythical Argo, Columbus' Santa Maria or Nansen's Fram. However, the Hetman Ivan Mazepa made history even before it was launched. The foundation of the future fleet of the Ukrainian Navy, the first corvette of the Ada type, it is made of steel produced by Metinvest's Mariupol plants - the legendary "participants" in the defense of the City of Mary.
WIKIPEDIA EXPLAINS
Corvette is a class of multi-purpose warships of the near shore, designed to patrol and convoy, provide anti-submarine and anti-aircraft defence of naval bases and home stations. It is one of the most numerous classes of modern warships.
When the corvette was laid down at the Turkish company RMK Marine Shipyard in September 2021, no one could have imagined that in six months the metal of its hull would become exclusive. And then Metinvest gave 1,000 tons of hot-rolled plate to manufacture the corvette. Part of the batch was brought directly from Mariupol (Ilyich Iron and Steel Works steel), the other part - from Italian Metinvest Trametal, where rolled products were made from Azovstal slabs.
In February 2022, the Mariupol plants stopped their operation, followed by months of enemy siege, daily bombardments and shelling. Azovstal has become a symbol of the indestructibility and resilience of Ukrainians, and the pre-war steel of Mariupol's plants has received a new life.
Azovstal steel was used to build many outstanding structures, including the newest shelter over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, one of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe, and protective water-gates for Venice. The lion's share of the Ukrainian army is also our steel. And the modern Hetman Ivan Mazepa corvette is also made of Mariupol steel. It is really incredible that the steel-making plants of Mariupol continue to work for the victory of Ukraine even now, after the destruction.
— Yuriy RYZHENKOV, CEO of Metinvest GroupOn October 2, the Hetman Ivan Mazepa was ceremonially launched in Istanbul. The First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska became the godmother of the warship. And now, two years later, the corvette has gone to sea for sea trials. It is with this flagship that a new era of the Ukrainian Navy will begin.
FOR REFERENCE
Class and type: Ada type corvette
Hull number: F211
Length: 99.5 m
Beam: 14.4 m
Speed: 29 knots
Sailing range: 1,000 miles at 29 knots, 3,500 miles at 15 knots
Crew: 93 people, including officers; up to 106 people if required
What does "Ada type" mean?
Ada-class corvettes are modern littoral combat ships. They perform anti-submarine operations and patrol on the high seas. In their design, the principles of stealth technologies are widely used - reducing visibility in radar, infrared and other observance spectra.
The first ship of this type was built at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard in 2008. Then it cost approximately USD 260 mln. The ship is powered by a gas turbine with a capacity of 31,000 horsepower and two diesel engines with a capacity of 5,790 "horses".
The design and combat application of the Ada type corvette is similar to the Freedom-class littoral combat ship for the United States Navy, produced by the Lockheed Martin company. However, the Turkish project ships have more powerful weapons, radar and sonar systems, while the American ones are faster and have modular design.
