Second Gowind corvette delivered to UAE
The handover of Al Emarat took place on 27 June. (Photo: Naval Group)
The second Gowind corvette for the UAE Navy, Al Emarat, has been delivered after completing sea trials which began in October last year after launching in May 2022.
Two of the corvettes were ordered in 2019 with the first, Bani Yas, delivered in late November 2023. There is an option for a further two ships.
The Al Emarat crew will continue operational ship training in France as part of the contract with Naval Group. The ship will begin its transit to the UAE under the Emirati flag in July, with an expected arrival in Abu Dhabi in August.
Eleven Gowind-family corvettes are in service or ordered by several navies and the Gowind 2500, around which the UAE variant is based on, is also in service with the Egyptian Navy.
The UAE ships measure 102m with an overall beam of 16m and a displacement of 2,800t.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that armament includes an Oto Melara 76mm main gun, two R400S-Mk2 RWS, 16 MICA VLS, eight Exocet MM40s, torpedo launchers for MU90, a RIM-116 RAM missile launcher system fitted over the hangar, Rheinmetall MASS countermeasure system and Naval Group’s CANTO anti-torpedo system.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Avalon 2025: Kongsberg confirms its first Australian missile factory
The deal, which has been planned since August 2024, is part of an ongoing attempt to bolster Australia’s defences against the potential of Chinese aggression.
-
As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?
The tripartite submarine project is under political pressure from a grass-roots Australian Labor Party movement, but it could also have practical issues in its way.
-
Newest Arleigh Burke Flight III destroyer launched and ready for fitting
DDG 129, which will become the USS Jeremiah Denton on commissioning, was moved to dry dock to begin its technical fitting and testing.