Gowind-class design

Gowind corvettes have been developed by DCN to conduct missions in the littoral environment such as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and safeguard. An state-of-the-art combat management system (CMS), called Setis, successor to Senit installed on French Navy's top quality surface combatants has been provided to these corvettes. Besides ship's reduced radar, acoustic and infrared signatures and its compact design provide enhanced survivability.

The Gowind-class corvettes were designed having on mind the 21st century challenges Navies will confront as well as the new weapon systems required to deal with. Thus Gowind can deploy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Underwater Unmanned Vehicles (UUVs). An aft deck has been provided allowing for 10-ton class helicopter or even Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations.

Gowind's weapon system builds around a multi-functional radar and 16 Aster 15 or Mica vertical launch surface-to-air missiles. Its can be armed with either 8 MM40 Exocet or Harpoon anti-ship missiles. The propulsion system is based on Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) and includes water-jets for improved maneuverability in shallow waters and high-speed performance. There is no gas exhaust chimney on these ships. The radar and other sensors are mounted on a single central mast replacing several sensor masts in other ships thus allowing 360-degree view.

DCN is offering three variants of Gowind for the export market: Gowind 200, Gowind 170 and Gowind 120. Gowind 200 outstands by its enhanced anti-submarine warfare capability.