NATO members help rebuild Ukraine’s navy after significant losses

NATO member countries are helping to restructure the Ukrainian navy, which was largely destroyed after Crimea’s reunification with the Russian Federation in 2014.

The Commander of the Ukrainian Naval Forces, Oleksiy Neizhpapa, announced that the Netherlands has delivered an Alkmaar-class minehunter to Ukraine.

Stating that the crew’s training process has begun, Neizhpapa said they expect a second ship to be delivered by the end of the year.

According to the information provided, both ships are equipped with special sonar systems and remotely operated disposal vehicles for detecting sea mines.

‘Maritime coalition’ from the United Kingdom and Norway

This move by the Netherlands is not the only military vessel support for Ukraine.

At the end of 2023, the UK Ministry of Defence announced it would provide two more minehunters to strengthen Kyiv’s presence in the Black Sea.

The then-UK Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, stated that these vessels would help reopen vital export routes blocked after Russia’s military intervention.

The United Kingdom, together with Norway, is leading a “maritime coalition” that includes vessel procurement, training activities, and the development of maritime infrastructure.

70% of the navy was lost

The Ukrainian Naval Forces have lost approximately 70% of their fleet since 2014. The navy’s flagship, the Hetman Sahaidachny, was scuttled in 2022.

According to the Global Military website, as of this year, the Ukrainian Naval Forces have a total of 40 vessels in various conditions in their inventory.

According to data from the WDMMW portal, the number of “armed vessels” is 21, excluding small patrol, support, and transport ships.

New strategy: Naval drones and Turkish corvettes

Ukraine’s current naval power largely consists of naval drones. However, the Ukrainian military has not completely abandoned traditional shipbuilding.

The most significant program in this area involves the construction of Ada-class corvettes in cooperation with Türkiye. The program’s first ship, the Hetman Ivan Mazepa, was launched in 2022.