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2024-09-10

Gowind Corvettes Thrive Even in Extreme Trials

Local Partnerships in UAE Steer Success, says Naval Group’s Guillaume Pateu

Naval Group’s UAE Country Director, Guillaume Pateu, has hailed the recent arrival of the second Gowind corvette as a significant milestone in the UAE’s naval modernisation. Designed for versatility, the Gowind class integrates advanced sensors, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and the SETIS Combat Management System.

In an exclusive interview with Nation Shield, Pateu highlighted Naval Group’s commitment to UAE maritime defence through local partnerships, technology transfers, and training programmes.

By: Sakha Pramod

What significance does the delivery of the second Gowind corvette, Al Emarat, hold for the UAE and its naval operational capabilities?

Naval Group has a successful experience with the UAE for the design and construction of two Gowind Corvettes ordered in 2019.

The first Gowind Corvette (Bani Yas) was delivered on October 21, 2023 in Lorient in France after a comprehensive training programme alongside with harbour and sea trial programme held in France.

Our second Gowind Corvette, Al Emarat, a sister ship of the Bani Yas, was delivered in June 2024 in Lorient with her crew fully trained. She reached Abu Dhabi on August 19 after the transit from France to the UAE.

The Gowind design is our response to 21st century security and defence challenges. At 102m and 2,800 tonnes, it is a corvette-size multi-mission Surface Combatant offering capabilities in all areas.

It is designed to perform the full spectrum of naval defence operations and maritime security roles, with the highest level of performance. It has a range of capabilities including efficient anti-air capabilities and latest anti-submarine performances. The aft deck allows for both helicopter and UAV operations.

Strongly equipped, highly manoeuvrable, Gowind integrates, through Naval Group’s Information and Surveillance Techniques Exploitation System (SETIS) Combat Management System (CMS), and innovative structural solutions, the latest generation sensors and weapons.

Designed to be used against air, surface or underwater threats from the initial steps of the engineering process, it is multipurpose by design.

We have performed trials in the UAE in hot weather conditions for both corvettes, with extreme sea water and air temperature, and with no operational performance degradation.

How does the partnership with local UAE industries contribute to the success of the Gowind corvette programme?

Naval Group has a strong commitment in the UAE where it is established since 2010, with the objective to develop sustainable, long-term partnerships which contribute to National Sovereignty.

We understand that knowledge transfer and the development of STEM-based skills for Emirati nationals is crucial to accelerate economic diversification and sustainable career opportunities.

In the Bani Yas class, Naval Group has integrated multiple Emirates’ equipment, provided by national entities, for Satellite Communication, weapons and drone systems.

The cooperation with UAE national entities includes our relationship with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) to offer the greatest support for the maintenance of the two Gowind Corvettes that will be performed in the UAE.

We have signed in 2023 a framework agreement with ADSB and the different technical stops scheduled in the maintenance cycle of the ships will be performed by Naval Group in association with ADSB in the UAE.

Naval Group has a promising roadmap of industrial subjects to be implemented with various industrial partners in Abu Dhabi, proposing an ambitious focus on high added value transfers of technology and common R&D programmes with UAE players. These programmes developed with EDGE are of utmost importance and will pave the future for successful new orders with shared technologies.

The first ToT (Transfer of technology) programme started with the National CMS (Combat Management System) in June jointly signed between EDGE/Marakeb, Naval Group and Tawazun.

It will lead to the implementation of a national CMS solution on all future warships of the UAE Fleet.

Naval Group has also participated in internship programmes implemented by Tawazun Council, known as EGAP (Emirati Global Acceleration programme). This enables young UAE nationals to pursue internships at Naval Group, while being tutored by the company experts.

The company has joined forces with Khalifa University to collaborate on innovative research fields to support UAE’s naval industry. A MoU was signed in February 2023 on additive manufacturing.

Naval Group showcased expertise in unmanned systems at UMEX. How will these technologies, like the XL-UUV, integrate with the UAE existing fleet and future strategy?We have been driving a strong push towards unmanned platforms and technologies for over 15 years.

The drones and autonomous systems business is a strategic pillar, with a strong position across the entire value chain, including vessels, autonomous systems, force integration, services.

We integrate all types of drones on board ships, including air drones such as heavy, light, rotary-wing (helicopters), and fixed-wing (small aircraft) systems, which can be deployed on various vessels like frigates, patrol boats, and helicopter carriers.

We specialise in underwater drones, known as Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), and surface drones, or Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). We develop both USVs and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), ensuring extensive expertise in this domain.

The agreement with Tawazun Council for the National Combat Management System (NCMS) signifies a significant step towards self-reliance for the UAE. What are the benefits of this project?

Tawazun Council, Naval Group and Marakeb Technologies have signed a Joint Development Agreement for the development of the NCMS through a complete and extensive transfer of technology and know-how.

Naval Group will develop the NCMS capacity for the UAE, enabling the country to operate an NCMS integrated into its naval fleet for both newbuild and retrofit ship programmes.

What future collaborations can we expect between Naval Group and the UAE?

Naval Group’s relationship with the UAE has developed over many decades, across a wide range of domains.

We have the willingness to increase our local presence and cooperation through the reinforcement of our partnerships with the UAE naval defence ecosystem and our participation in naval defence projects.

These may cover maintenance, engineering, ship building and operational ventures.

Can you elaborate on the training programmes provided by NG for the UAE Naval personnel?

We offer comprehensive training programmes and co-develop naval academic courses to enhance self-reliance. The Gowind Corvettes, designed for easy operation and maintenance, enabled UAE crews to receive phased training in France, covering equipment operation, navigation, and basic operations, with advanced training continuing in the UAE.

What measures are in place to ensure the long-term maintenance of the Gowind corvettes within the UAE?

We want to build a new model with ADSB / EDGE on this matter to provide an efficient maintenance of the two Gowind Corvettes.

This will start with the newly signed In Service Support Contract we have signed for Bani Yas for the next three years.

We want to train local manpower and handle maintenance locally with our experts based on our experience with the French navy.

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