Boustead showcasing a DCNS Gowind corvette tweaked to Royal Malaysian Navy needs at DSA 2012

Navy Recognition team who was attending the DSA 2012 Defense exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was able to gather fresh information regarding the future Gowind corvettes of the Royal Malaysian Navy. While the negotiations are still ongoing, signature of the contract should happen soon according to an official from Boustead. The same person gave us an updated list of systems that will likely be found on those new corvettes.

Gowind model at Boustead stand during DSA 2012 (picture: Navy Recognition)

According to this source, the Gowind corvette for Royal Malaysian Navy will likely sports the following weapons: Bofors 57 mm Mk 2 for main gun MBDA Mica VL for air defense in the VLS cells MBDA MM40 BlkIII anti-ship missiles 2x 30mm guns from MSI-Defence Systems Ltd located on top of the helicopter hanger

Regarding sensors, the Malaysian Gowinds should come with: TMEO Mk2 - TMX/EO Electro-optical tracking and fire control system by Rheinmetall SMART-S Mk2 3D multibeam radar by Thales Thales Captas for sonar (We could not get confirmation on the type: Nano or another model) As expected, the combat managed system will be the SETIS by DCNS.

The generic Gowind designed by DCNS is a multi-mission corvette (100 metres, over 2,000 tonnes), A fully militarised platform, she has a comprehensive Mission Management System for full-scale multi-threat missions, including a complete ASW suite with towed array sonar and improved stealth and survivability.

Specifications of the Boustead built vessels (as of now) are as follow: Length: 107 meters Breadth: 16 meters Full load displacement: 2,730 tonnes Max speed: 28 knots Crew: 106 Range: 5,000 nm Endurance: 21 days We were told however that these figures were subject to change (as well as the final hull design) depending on the final configuration picked by the Royal Malaysian Navy. First cut of the head of class is expect for early next year (2013)