Gowind 2500 Corvette under Egyptian flag in Lorient

CAIRO - 22 September 2017: Egyptian flag was raised on the first Gowind 2500 Corvette (Al Fateh) at the delivery ceremony of the frigate from French shipbuilder DCNS in France’s Lorient shipyard on Friday.

“We are witnessing a new moment in the history of our naval forces and the history of the distinguished relations between France and Egypt,” said Egyptian Navy Commander Ahmed Khaled in his speech in the delivery ceremony, adding “We are working hard to upgrade the Egyptian navy's combat capabilities."

"This new type (Corvette) is vital as the Middle East region faces serious security changes. Such changes contributed to the emergence of new forms of crimes committed and affecting the area's maritime security."

Gowind Corvette is 102 meters in length and 16 meters in width. Its speed is 25 knots with a range of 3,700 nautical miles at 15 knots. It can carry air-defense and anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. Malaysia, was the first country to have bought the French Corvettes.

In 2014, Egypt has contracted with the French company to buy four Corvettes, three of which will be constructed in Alexandria Shipyard. On April 16, 2015, DCNS announced that it has started to construct the first Gowind Corvette to Egypt in the modern naval shipyard of Lorient.

The four vessels; France’s most advanced naval equipment, are scheduled to be delivered to Egypt by 2019, the company said in a statement on its official website.

The company has delivered the FREMM-multipurpose French frigate Tahya Misr to the Egyptian navy used in securing the new Suez Canal.

On July 20, 2015, three of 24 French Rafale fighter jets were sent to the Egyptian fleet. The fighter jets participated in the inauguration ceremony of new Suez Canal scheduled for August 6.