Construction of Ada-Class Corvette for Ukraine Begins in Turkey

Turkey has started building the first MILGEM Ada-class corvette for the Ukrainian Navy, reports say.

Under the agreements signed in October and December of 2020, first of the corvettes would be built in Turkey while the rest are to be produced in Okean Shipyard.

In February, the parties decided that only hull of the first ship will be produced in Turkey and remaining construction will take place in Ukraine, according to local media.

In a speech to the Ukrainian Navy at Odessa region on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, “Our Turkish friends are actively supporting the development of the Ukrainian navy. The first foundation of our modern corvettes has already been laid in Turkey and will be completed in Ukraine by the end of 2023.”

The Ada-class corvette can carry out the determination, location, classification, identification and destruction of air, surface and underwater targets as well as provide naval gunfire support. In addition to avoiding any potential threats, corvettes can perform maritime operations such as maritime surveillance and patrols, coastal and infrastructure protection, and the supervision and surveillance of exclusive economic zones.

Aside of Ada battleships, Ukraine has also placed an order for additional Bayraktar TB2 drones. “We expect to receive modern and efficient Bayraktar UAVs soon. Ukrainian crews are already completing training in Turkey,” Zelensky said.