Naval Group hands over first Gowind corvette for UAE

Following its formal handover, Bani Yas departed Lorient on 23 October and is expected to arrive in the UAE in early December. (Naval Group)

French shipbuilder Naval Group has delivered the first Gowind 2500 corvette on order for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The new vessel, named Bani Yas (P 110),was formally handed over during a ceremony held at Naval Group's shipyard in Lorient on 21 October, the shipbuilder announced on 11 November.

Following its delivery, the ship set sail from Lorient on 23 October, and is expected to arrive in the UAE in early December.

Laid down in 2020 and launched in December 2021, Bani Yas is the first of two Gowind 2500 corvettes being built by Naval Group for the UAE under a contract awarded in 2019.

Second-in-class Al Emarat (P 111) was laid down in 2021, launched on 13 May 2022, and is currently readying for sea trials, Naval Group said.

The Gowind 2500 corvette has an overall length of 102 m, a 16 m beam, a full-load displacement of around 2,800 tonnes, and a maximum speed of 25.5 kt. It can accommodate 95 personnel and has an endurance of 21 days. The vessels can carry a 10-tonne helicopter, an unmanned aerial vehicle, and two 2.7 m rigid-hull inflatable boats.