Gowind Corvettes, France

DCNS of France first announced the Gowind family of corvettes in 2006. Since the initial announcement, DCNS has enlarged the Gowind family to four corvettes with length from 85m to 105m and displacement from 1,000t to 2,500t.

The Gowind family of corvettes includes: the 1,000t Sovereignty Enforcer Gowind control corvette, the 2,000t High Seas Master Gowind presence corvette, the Deterrent Warrior Gowind action corvette, and the 2,000t Multi-Mission Combatant Gowind combat corvette.

The ships, of sea-proven steel monohull design, accommodate 50 to 75 crew and passengers and have a maximum speed of 22kt to 27kt. The Gowind has an endurance of two to three weeks on patrol missions between at-sea replenishment.

The corvette is designed for simplicity and for easy customising to the client navy's requirements including local in-country shipbuilding under technology transfer agreements. The Bulgarian Navy, which is considering the acquisition of up to six multi-role corvettes, has examined the capabilities of the Gowind corvettes. It is expected the first of class Bulgarian corvettes would be constructed at the DCNS Lorient ship yard and the following ships would be built under a license agreement at the naval shipyard near Varna on the Black Sea.

Gowind missions

The Gowind corvettes are ocean-capable vessels with capability for emerging missions such as anti-piracy, sea control and denial, combat, counter-terrorism, drug interdiction and anti-smuggling operations, oil and gas platform protection, search and rescue, fisheries protection, environmental protection and humanitarian support.

The corvettes can be configured with the capability to deploy special forces and accommodate a range of commando equipment. The self-protection level can be selected from remotely controlled guns up to missile systems. The communications suites with satellite communications interface to the customer's specified maritime surveillance networks.

Capability

The ships have high manoeuvrability with excellent sea-keeping capability. The special forces operations capability includes a quick launch and recovery stern-launch system for two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) or unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).

The aviation capabilities, including automatic decking, allow safe operation of a helicopter and unmanned air vehicles.

Command and control

The vessel's multi-function radar is installed in the integrated mast. The design of the bridge allows 360° panoramic surveillance. The combat systems are suited to the customer country's requirements. The communications systems allow tactical information to be shared with other assets and land-based operations centres.

The Gowind's combat management system, SETIS, is based on the SENIT CMS designed by DCNS and Thales and incorporates commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) open systems architecture. A wide range of combat systems can be integrated into SETIS, which can be reconfigured to accommodate new and upgraded mission systems through the ship's operational life.

Gowind weapons

The corvettes can be armed with the weapon systems tailored to the customer country's mission requirements. The weapon systems include: water cannons, 12.7mm remotely controlled machine guns, 20mm machine gun, 76mm naval gun on the forward gun deck, anti-ship missiles, ship self-defence system and electronic warfare suite.

Propulsion

The propulsion is based on a diesel driven propeller and waterjet system. The Gowind design does not incorporate a conventional funnel and instead has a waterline engine exhaust system. The configuration contributes to the ship's low thermal signature and also allows the 360° vision capability from the bridge.

Gowind control corvette – Sovereignty Enforcer

The 1,000t Gowind control corvette (Sovereignty Enforcer) is designed for patrol and sovereignty enforcement in littoral and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters. Missions include special forces and commando fast deployment.

The hull length is 85m. The ship is armed with a 76mm cannon and can deploy a high-performance, high-capacity, rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB).

Gowind presence corvette – High Seas Master

The 2,000t Gowind presence corvette (High Seas Master) has a sustained capacity for long-range intervention and long period at sea, and can remain at sea for up to three weeks. The corvette is fitted with a helicopter hangar.

Gowind action corvette – Deterrent Warrior

The Gowind action corvette (Deterrent Warrior) is equipped with a suite of anti-air and anti-surface sensors and weapons systems, for example the VL Mica vertically launched short-range air defence missile system and the Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles.

Gowind combat corvette – Multi-Mission Combatant

The Gowind combat corvette (Multi-Mission Combatant) is equipped with full-scale mission systems for multi-threat response including a full anti-submarine warfare (ASW) suite with a towed array sonar. The ship configuration includes improved stealth and survivability features.

The combat corvette is suitable for Nato task group operations.