Turkish Shipyard Lays Keel of the 2nd MİLGEM Corvette Of The Ukrainian Navy
Recently, the keel of the second MİLGEM ADA Class Corvette, being built for the Ukrainian Navy by Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc. (STM) was laid in Turkey. Vice Admiral Andriy Tarasov, First Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Navy, and Volodymyr Havrylov, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, led the delegation representing the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense that attended the ceremony at the RMK Naval Shipyard in Istanbul.
In a social media post, the Ukrainian Navy stated:
“The keel laying ceremony of the ADA type corvette was held in an Istanbul shipyard. According to existing agreements, this is the second corvette built by the Republic of Turkey for the needs of the Ukrainian Navy. We wish to stress that all of the work is completed on time and in accordance with the programs and contracts.”
The Ukraine MİLGEM Project began in December 2020 as part of an agreement signed by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and a Turkish delegation led by then-Turkish Defense Industry Agency President Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir and STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz. The Ukraine MİLGEM Project is made up of two ships. The initial conditions of the arrangement, which included technology exchange, called for the first corvette to be built in Turkey and the second in the Ukraine-based Ocean shipyard. However, due to the Ukraine-Russia War that began on February 24, 2022, certain adjustments were made to the ships’ construction and equipment plans. As a result, it was determined that the second ship would be built in Turkey and then delivered. It is yet uncertain where the ship’s outfitting operations will take place.
The construction of Ukraine’s first Ada class corvette began in July 2021 at the RMK Marine Shipyard in Istanbul under the main contractor of STM. The first ship’s keel laying ceremony was held on September 7, 2021, with the attendance of Ukrainian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa. The ship, christened ‘Hetman Ivan Mazepa’ by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in August 2022, was launched in October 2022 at a ceremony attended by First Lady Olena Zelenska. The first ship, which is presently undergoing outfitting activities, is scheduled to enter service in the Ukrainian Navy in 2024, following the port acceptance tests and sea trials. The second ship is scheduled to be delivered to Ukraine in 2025.
The ADA class corvettes, which would significantly boost Ukraine’s capability in the Azov-Black Sea region, are capable of determining, locating, classifying, identifying, and destroying air, surface, and undersea targets, as well as providing Naval Gunfire Support. The corvettes can carry out maritime operations such as maritime surveillance and patrol, coastline and infrastructure protection, and supervision and monitoring of Exclusive Economic Zones, in addition to avoiding potential threats.
With a length of 99.56 meters, a width of 14.4 meters, and a draft of 3.9 meters, ADA class corvettes can operate for 21 days with logistic support and 15 days autonomously. The LM2500 Gas Turbine manufactured by General Electric Marine and two 4000 Series MTU 20V4000M93L diesel engines with a power capacity of 4,300kW/5,766hp each provide ADA class corvettes a cruise range of 3500 nautical miles and a maximum speed of 29 nautical miles. The ship can carry 86 crew members in addition to 106 passengers. The ship can also transport two S70 Seahawk helicopters, one in the hangar and one on the platform.
According to Ukraine-based Radio Svoboda news portal, Ukraine’s corvettes are planned to be equipped with a 76mm OTO Melara Super Rapid Naval Gun, VL MICA NG Air Defense System, ASELSAN STAMP 12.7mm Stabilized Weapon System, 8xRGM-84 Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles, Neptune anti-ship missiles, 324mm MU90 Impact Torpedoes, ASELSAN (Thales) SMART-S Mk2 3-D Search and Track Radar, VisionMaster FT Radar and 8 VLSs in total, 4 cells each (4×2) on port and starboard sides.