The multi-purpose corvette “Hetman Ivan Mazepa” of the Ukrainian Navy, built in Turkey, has set out for sea trials.
The Ukrainian Navy published a corresponding video.
“Ukraine is a maritime nation! The corvette Hetman Ivan Mazepa has started sea trials. Together to victory!” the statement reads.
As part of the tests, a torpedo was launched from the corvette, and helicopter landing exercises were conducted.
What is known about the corvette “Hetman Ivan Mazepa”?
The corvette “Hetman Ivan Mazepa,” which became the first ship of this class for the Navy, was launched on October 2, 2022. The second corvette is named “Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky.”
Ukraine and Turkey signed an agreement in 2020 for the construction of two corvettes for Ukraine. Construction of “Hetman Mazepa” began in 2021, and it was planned to be sent to Ukraine by the end of 2022 for completion with partial equipment. It was expected that the corvette would join the Ukrainian Navy in 2024, after being finished in Ukraine.
According to “Militarnyi,” on May 29, “Hetman Ivan Mazepa” left the RMK Marine shipyard for its first sea trials. Photographs showed that it was armed with a 76-mm naval gun, Super Rapid, produced by the Italian company OTO Melara.
A naval version of the Turkish 35-mm anti-aircraft gun Korkut, produced by Aselsan, has been installed above the helicopter hangar on the “Hetman Ivan Mazepa” corvette. Another product from the same company on board the “Mazepa” is the 12.7-mm remotely controlled STAMP systems, mounted on the port and starboard sides of the ship.
For air defense, the corvette is expected to be equipped with the MICA VL surface-to-air missile system. The primary torpedo under consideration for the ship is the Murene 90 Impact.
The “Hetman Ivan Mazepa” is set to replace the frigate “Hetman Sahaidachny.” At the time of the full-scale invasion, the “Sahaidachny” was not operational and capable of participating in the defense against aggression. To prevent it from falling into enemy hands, it was scuttled.
Tags: Ukraine
