Gowind: a design family spanning patrol vessels and light frigates

Gowind illustrates how a flexible design family can span several naval classifications. Configurations range from lightly equipped offshore patrol vessels to corvettes and light frigates. The design question is how to fit the required capability into the smallest workable hull. Related bow and hull lines give the ships a recognisable family resemblance as their size and weapons change. The equipment examples include 76 mm guns, Exocet or Naval Strike Missiles, and eight- or sixteen-cell VLS fits. Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, and Egypt are cited as users with differing needs. The least expensive example is quoted at €80 million per vessel in 2014, roughly estimated at €100 million in contemporary money. Later prices mix dates and currencies, including Malaysian currency for the largest version, so they do not provide a directly comparable euro-price series.