Naval Group launches first Gowind corvette for UAE Navy

The first Gowind corvette ordered by the United Arab Emirates is pictured during its launch at Naval Group's yard in Lorient on 4 December. (Naval Group)

French shipbuilder Naval Group launched the first Gowind 2500 corvette on order for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy at its Lorient shipyard on 4 December.

The new ship, named Bani Yas, is the first of two Gowind corvettes being procured by the UAE under a contract signed in 2019.

The construction of Bani Yas started in 2020 and is planned to be delivered in “the coming months”, a Naval Group spokesperson told Janes. The second ship is also under construction and is scheduled to be launched next year. Under current planning, the second ship will be handed over approximately six months after the delivery of Bani Yas, the spokesperson said.

The Gowind 2500 corvette has an overall length of 102 m, a 16 m beam, a full load displacement of around 2,800 tonnes, and a maximum speed of 25.5 kt. It can accommodate 95 personnel and has an endurance of 21 days. The vessels can carry a 10-tonne helicopter, an unmanned aerial vehicle, and two 2.7 m rigid-hull inflatable boats.

The UAE corvettes are to be equipped with the Naval Group SETIS combat management system, MBDA Exocet anti-ship missiles, and Raytheon Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles for air defence.