Keel laid for second Ada-class corvette for Ukrainian Navy

The keel for Ukraine's second Ada-class corvette was laid down at RMK Marine's shipyard in Tuzla, Istanbul, on 18 August. (Ukrainian Navy)

A keel-laying ceremony for the second MilGem (Ada)-class corvette under construction for Ukraine was held at RMK Marine's shipyard in Tuzla, Istanbul, on 18 August.

RMK Marine is building the two Ada-class corvettes under an agreement signed by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Turkish Defence Industry Agency (SSB) in December 2020. Turkish engineering company STM has overall responsibility for the programme.

Announcing the latest milestone on social media, the Ukrainian Navy said work was being carried out “on time, in accordance with the schedules and signed contracts”.

Construction on the second ship started on 2 October 2022. Meanwhile, work on first-of-class Hetman Ivan Mazepa (F 211) continues to make progress. Construction on Hetman Ivan Mazepa started in July 2021; it was laid down on 7 September that year and launched alongside the steel-cutting ceremony of the second ship on 2 October 2022.

Ukraine's new ships are based on the Turkish Navy's four 99 m Ada-class corvettes that entered service between 2011 and 2019. Turkey is also building four corvettes for Pakistan under a deal signed in 2018, with the first-of-class scheduled for delivery in 2023.

While details on the Ukrainian ships may be different, the ships in service with the Turkish Navy have a top speed of 29 kt, a standard range of 3,500 n mile at 15 kt, and can carry a crew of 93, with accommodation for an additional 13 personnel. They feature a flight deck and hangar that can accommodate a 10 tonne S70 Seahawk helicopter.