Ukraine’s second corvette launched in Turkey
- 2 August, 07:53
A new anti-submarine warship newly built in Turkey for Ukraine was launched in Istanbul on August 1, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said.
Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska attended the launch of the corvette Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi in Istanbul. Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi is the second such vessel built for Ukraine in Turkey, the Ukrainian presidency announced on its website.
“Corvettes Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi and Hetman Ivan Mazepa, which were built in Turkey due to Russian aggression, are equipped with cutting-edge weapons and will become a significant addition to our fleet … Ukraine has already broken the dominance of the Russian fleet at sea, destroying dozens of ships. We are actively expanding the capabilities of the Ukrainian navy in the Black and Azov seas,” Minister Umarov said.
Ukraine ordered the two Turkish corvettes under an agreement signed in 2020. The Ukrainian presidency said the corvettes would help protect the country’s interests in the Black and Azov seas “but also, in particular, in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmytro told media that now that the country’s second corvette has been launched, “the next step is to equip it with the appropriate weapons systems and train the second crew.” A new crew of 100 men would be trained to work on the ship, Dmytro clarified.
It should be noted that Ukraine has stepped up building its naval capabilities in line with the Maritime Security Strategy adopted by the country’s authorities in July.
