France: DCNS has announced plans to self-fund the construction of a Gowind offshore patrol vessel (OPV). The new ship is designed for a wide range of government missions at sea. Shipbuilding will begin shortly at DCNS's Lorient centre.
With a length overall of 90 metres, the Gowind OPV will offer three weeks' blue-water endurance, a range of 8,000 nautical miles and a top speed of 21 knots. The design includes full provision for an organic helicopter and reduced crewing by a complement of 30 as well as space for an additional 30 passengers.
The proposed vessel is the entry-level representative of the Gowind family. Other Gowind corvette/OPVs can be equipped with a range of weapon systems according to their mission profiles. Key Gowind innovations include panoramic (360°) bridge visibility, the covert deployment of fast commando boats in less than five minutes and full provisions for UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) operations.
The top-of-the-range type is a medium-displacement front-line fighting ship serving as a deterrent or means of preventing military action. All types are designed to optimise ship-based naval, commando and coast guard operations.
Patrick Boissier, Chairman & CEO of the DCNS Group, said that the decision to self-fund was a strategic investment under the Championship growth initiative.
"The prime aim of the Championship growth initiative is to double group revenue over the next ten year,"said Mr Boissier. "One important way of achieving this is by expanding our product portfolio. The self-funded construction of this Gowind OPV will do just that. By giving us a marketing tool without equal, this vessel will also help us to achieve growth across the board while the shipbuilding effort will enable us to further improve our design and production methods thereby making us more competitive."
One of the keys to winning new business in the corvette/OPV sector is to achieve sea-proven status attested by a world-class navy; a feat that is all the more challenging when the vessel in question combines innovations and unmatched efficiency. Hence the decision to make the proposed OPV available to the French Navy for three years.
The Navy will be able to demonstrate the new vessel's worth and operational capabilities in actual operations.
