Gowind Corvette: Naval Group Export Platform That Grows Naval Forces
Gowind is Naval Group’s family of multi-mission corvettes ranging from 1,000 to 2,800 tonnes. Featuring stealth hull design, modular weapons and technology-transfer production rights, the Gowind has been exported to Malaysia (6 units, Maharaja Lela class), Egypt (4 units) and the UAE (4 units). Malaysia’s contract worth approximately .3 billion includes local production rights at Boustead Heavy Industries shipyard.
Technical Specifications — Gowind 2500
| Parameter | Gowind 2500 |
|---|---|
| Full load displacement | ~2,600 tonnes |
| Length | 102.3 m |
| Maximum speed | 25 knots |
| Anti-ship missile | 8 × MM40 Exocet Block 3 |
| Air defense missile | VL MICA (16 cells) |
| Torpedo | MU90 Impact |
| Gun | 76 mm OTO Melara |
| Helicopter | 1 × NH90 |
| Radar | Thales Sea Master 400 |
Turkish Equivalent — MILGEM Ada Class
Turkey’s MİLGEM Ada-class corvette (2,300 tonnes) directly competes with Gowind 2500 in tonnage and mission scope. Key advantages: Turkey’s ATMACA missile outranges MM40 Exocet; Ada offers higher domestic content. Turkey now exports Ada-class corvettes to Pakistan (PNS Babur/Badr under construction), placing MİLGEM in direct export competition with Gowind.
Assessment
Gowind’s stealth hull and modular weapons made it commercially successful. The Malaysia program faced delays, but deliveries are proceeding through 2025. Turkey’s MİLGEM story offers a revealing contrast: instead of buying from Naval Group, Turkey built its own corvette with indigenous weapons and now competes against Gowind in export markets.
