French defence company Naval Group, formerly known as DCNS, has launched its first Egypt-built Gowind-class corvette, Port-Said, during a ceremony in Alexandria, Egypt.
Constructed by Egypt-based shipbuilding company Alexandria Shipyard, the vessel’s development has strengthened the strategic partnership between Naval Group and Egypt.
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Port-Said is the first warship to be constructed in the country and will be deployed into service with the Egyptian Navy.
Naval Group chief executive officer Hervé Guillou said: “Naval Group is very proud to be part of this long-term partnership with the Egyptian authorities and industry.
“This ceremony is an opportunity to reiterate our strong commitment to execute all the programmes and to equip the Egyptian Navy with a homogeneous fleet.
“In addition, Naval Group is pleased to participate in the maintenance and modernisation of this fleet. Naval Group has a long-term presence in Egypt and will remain involved for many years to come in Alexandria as partner of the Egyptian Navy to secure their operations.”
Port-Said is the fifth ship designed by Naval Group following the delivery of the FREMM frigate Tahya Misr in 2015, two Landing Helicopter Docks Nasser and Sadat in 2016, and the first Gowind-class corvette El-fateh last year.
The Gowind-class corvette, along with El-fateh that has already been deployed with the Egyptian Navy on a number of operations, will help bolster the capabilities of the service.
Construction on El-fateh commenced on 16 April 2015 at Naval Group’s manufacturing site in Lorient, France, and is one of the four vessels that are slated to be delivered to Egypt before next year.
In addition to the Egyptian Navy, the Malaysian Navy acquired the Gowind-class corvettes in 2012.
