The delivery ceremony for the first Gowind® corvette, Bani Yas, ordered by the United Arab Emirates to Naval Group took place on 21 October 2023 in Lorient in the presence of an official delegation from the United Arab Emirates headed by His Highness Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan al Nahyan, Commander of the UAE Navy. Bani Yas corvette is the first of the two Gowind® corvettes ordered by the United Arab Emirates to Naval Group in 2019 and built in Lorient, France. Bani Yas corvette was launched in December 2021, left Lorient on 23 October 2023 and is due to arrive in the United Arab Emirates in early December. The second corvette, Al Emarat, launched on 13 May 2022 at Naval Group’s Lorient site, will soon be starting her sea trials. Bani Yas class corvettes benefit from the modular design of the Gowind® family and will enable the UAE Navy to meet current and future challenges with the most advanced technologies. As part of Naval Group’s service solutions to meet all the needs of modern navies, the UAE Navy’s crew is trained in the operational use of the vessels. The commercial success of the Gowind® corvette is significant, with 12 units already selected by various navies and most of the ships locally built through technology transfer and partnerships with the local industry.
“This day marks a symbolic milestone: the delivery of Bani Yas Gowind® Combat corvette, first unit of this program. Bani Yas and Al Emarat Gowind® Combat corvettes are made to be the best answer to the UAE Naval Forces operational requirements. This program symbolizes our joint commitment to deliver the best and is for sure the first step in a strong cooperation and longterm strategic partnership with the UAE.” said Pierre Eric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group.
The Gowind design is a family of steel monohull frigates, corvettes and offshore patrol vessels developed since 2006 by France’s Naval Group, formerly known as DCNS, to conduct missions in the littoral zone such as anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The Gowind family includes vessels with lengths from 85 to 111 metres (278 ft 10 in to 364 ft 2 in) and displacement from 1,000 tons to 3,100 tons.The Gowind 2500 multi-mission corvette is designed for surveillance, surface and subsurface combat, protection and escort naval missions. It can also perform presence, maritime surveillance and policing missions against trafficking and piracy. The Gowind 2500 capitalizes on Naval Group’s expertise in vessel stealth. The vessel is equipped with facilities for an embarked helicopter and drones. In 2019 March 25, the United Arab Emirates Navy had signed a contract with Naval Group for Euro750 million (USD850m) for two 2500 class frigates (actually weighing 2,700 tonnes) with options for two more, to be built in partnership with Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company (ADSB).
At the heart of Gowind® corvette strength lies a robust array of high-performance warfare capabilities, seamlessly integrated through the cutting-edge SETIS® Combat Management System (CMS). This sophisticated system enables precise command and control, ensuring the vessel’s adaptability and readiness in the face of diverse naval challenges. Complementing this capability is the innovative Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module (PSIM), which enhances situational awareness, enabling the Gowind® corvette to operate with stealth and precision, while maintaining a high degree of survivability. The Gowind® corvette takes user-friendliness to new heights with its automated systems, streamlining operations for an optimized crew. This user-centric design not only enhances efficiency but also reduces the burden on the ship’s personnel, ensuring that they can focus on their critical tasks with minimal distractions. One of the standout features of the Gowind® corvette is its versatility in deploying large and intelligent assets. With the capability to accommodate heavy helicopters, UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), and RHIBs (Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boats), the Gowind® corvette provides a multifaceted approach to maritime operations, allowing it to handle a wide range of missions and adapt to dynamic scenarios.
