Egypt could manufacture two Gowind-class corvettes on behalf of Bahrain, one of its close allies in the Gulf.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is interested in acquiring two warships of the Gowind type (Naval Group), which would be manufactured in Egypt by state-owned Alexandria Shipyard.
The Gowind-class corvettes are multi-mission platforms designed to carry out various operations including surface and sub-surface warfare, surveillance, protection and escort missions. Besides, the vessels can be deployed to conduct maritime policing missions against trafficking and piracy.
Egypt bought four Gowind 2500 corvettes from Naval Group (three of which were built in Alexandria with technical support from France), and recently presented the Bahrainis with a Gowind 2500 during a series of demonstrations off Bahrain.
If the contract materializes, Lorient-based Naval Group will manufacture kits for the construction of two ships; and Alexandria Shipyard will become a regional hub for building and maintaining Naval Group warships.
Besides Egypt, this version of the Gowind has already been sold to two other countries (six to Malaysia and two to the United Arab Emirates).
Bahrain has only bought €56.1 million worth of weapons from France between 2012 and 2021.
The Egyptian Gowind-class corvettes are 102m-long, 16m-wide and have a displacement of 2,400t.
The vessels can operate at a maximum speed of 25 knots and accommodate up to 65 crew members aboard. The vessels can also embark helicopter and drones.
All the Gowind-class vessels are equipped with the Naval Group’s SETIS combat management system, allowing the surface ships to perform high-intensity naval operations.
Additionally, the vessels are fitted with company’s panoramic sensors and intelligence module (PS1M).
The corvette’s primary weapon is an OTO Melara 76 mm main gun. It is also equipped with two Nexter Narwhal 20 mm cannons.
Gowind 2500 is also armed with 16 VL MICA surface-to-air missiles in VLS launcher, eight MBDA MM40 Exocet anti-ship missile launchers and two triple torpedo launchers.