Ukraine showcases powerful new warship as sea trials advance
The Ukrainian Navy has released a video showcasing sea trials of the corvette Hetman Ivan Mazepa, which is bringing it closer to entering service as Ukraine's largest warship.
9:02 AM EDT, October 17, 2024
Construction on the corvette Hetman Ivan Mazepa began before the onset of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. The ship's development continued uninterrupted, as it is being built in Turkey. Consequently, there were no issues with launching the vessel in October 2022 or beginning a series of sea trials in Turkish-controlled waters. In July 2024, the Ukrainians tested the unit's armaments, and recently, they shared footage of the corvette's helipad in action.
Further sea trials of the corvette Hetman Iwan Mazepa
The Hetman Ivan Mazepa is classified as an Ada-class corvette, a series developed in Turkey for several countries' navies. Ukraine is set to receive two such vessels, which will be its largest warships. The Hetman Ivan Mazepa measures 328 feet in length and has a displacement of approximately 2,650 tons.
During sea trials, which focused on the "air wing," a Turkish SH-60 Seahawk was utilized. This multi-mission naval helicopter, developed in the United States, is about 49 feet long. It remains unclear which helicopters Ukraine ultimately plans to deploy.
The largest Ukrainian warship
The 328-foot-long corvette Hetman Ivan Mazepa can reach about 35 knots (approximately 40 mph). The crew will consist of 93 officers and sailors, possibly adding a dozen or more. The ship is designed to operate autonomously for up to 10 days.
The new Ukrainian ship is expected to be well-armed, although not all details have been disclosed. The deck will feature a 76 mm OTO Melara naval gun, along with torpedo launchers, launchers for anti-ship missiles (likely RGM-84 Harpoon or RK-360 Neptun), and anti-aircraft missiles.
