Mako-class light corvette

"She's the absolute lowest you could go on a warship. Her reactor's always running low on fuel at the worst moments, she starts choking when we push her a little too hard, and that damn starboard coupling keeps breaking loose on us. But at the same time, I can't help but feel like she was a good ship. I can't quite put my finger on why..."

- Retired sailor Iseul Jo.

The Mako-class light corvette (hull classification symbol: FS) is a classification of light warships that were formerly utilized by the UNSC. Manufactured by the Reyes-McLees Corporation, the Mako is a lightweight vessel that is marketed towards colonial defense fleets. A generalist vessel, the corvette is intended for all colonial defense and border-patrol operations, from buoy tending and import checks to deep-space rescue and pirate deterrence. While it was smallest ship of its day to be outfitted with a reliable slipspace drive and features an unusually-sturdy frame for its size, the Mako 's modest weapon count ensures that these warships must be deployed in groups to take down threatening opponents.

First introduced in 2494 during the birthing years of the Insurrection, the Mako would find success in government navies as the civil war expanded in scope. Deployed in groups of three or in support of a larger ship, the corvettes would participate in major anti-piracy and counter-terrorism operations, with its capabilities leading to many UNSC crewmen enjoying their service aboard them. However, dozens if not hundreds of Makos would find themselves hijacked by rebel boarding parties, with their effectiveness ironically being used to escalate the war. As they were extensively used by prominent organizations such as the rebels of Eridanus II, the Free Commonwealth of Falkirk and the Wealthian insurrectionists, they became far better known as a rebel ship. In response, the UNSC Navy would phase out the Mako in favour of larger frigates, stationing them further away from conflict zones. Production would slow until finally its plaguing issues would lead to the UNSC scheduling the entire class' decommission by 2529.

Fortunately, the corvettes would escape this fate upon the discovery of the Covenant, which forced the UNSC to utilize every available ship in its war for survival. Pressed as a stop-gap solution against their swarms of strikecraft, the Mako would exceed all expectations by gunning down entire squadrons of SX-class Seraphs in moments. Surprised by the ability of such an old ship, a new modernized block would be ordered by the UNSC optimized specifically for anti-fighter operations. They would serve in many battles of the Human-Covenant War, from Battle of Biko all the way up to the Battle for Earth. While serving faithfully in the war, they would fail to make a difference, and production would stop after 2542 in favour of addition Stalwart-class light frigates instead. Only some stubborn independent shipyards would continue building the corvettes, and they found use in private fleets long after official support was cut.