Gowind 220 is steel monohull corvette designed to deploy Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Underwater Unmanned Vehicles (UUVs).

The Gowind corvettes are ocean-capable vessels with capability for emerging missions such as anti-piracy, sea control and denial, combat, counter-terrorism, drug interdiction and anti-smuggling operations, oil and gas platform protection, search and rescue, fisheries protection, environmental protection and humanitarian support.

An aft deck has been provided allowing for up to 10-ton class helicopters, or even Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) launch.

The weapon system builds around a Setis combat system with a multi-functional radar, and 16 vertical-launch cells for Aster 15 or Mica-VL anti-air missiles. It can also be armed with 8 MM40 Exocet or Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and carries a naval gun.

Gowind corvettes are shaped for stealth, with a single central mast that replaces several sensor masts in other ships, and provides both improved signature and a 360-degree view for radars and other sensors.

The ship's propulsion system is based on Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) but has no gas exhaust chimney, channelling it into the water-jets to create manoeuvrability in shallow waters, high-speed performance, improved infrared signature, and improved visibility for its top-mounted sensors.

The ships come in several sizes. Gowind-200 ships are distinguished from the Gowind-120 and -170 ships by their larger size, which allows them to carry a suite of anti-submarine warfare equipment in addition to their other armament.

The Gowind 200 corvette deal may have wider ramifications for Bulgaria than the role it will play in that country's military modernisation. There are reports that only the first ship will be built in Lorienne, with the other three built in Varna by Bulyard Shipbuilding Industry, and equipment installed by the Bulgarian ship repairing yard Terem-KRZ Flotski Arsena.

Dozens of Bulgarian engineers and technicians would need be trained in France as part of these arrangements, and French unions have already expressed concerns that outsourcing to Bulgaria's cheaper shipyards may become permanent build locations as DCNS works to sell these ships abroad.