The Angolan Navy has launched the first BR71 MK II Combattante corvette in Cherbourg, France.
The BR71 MK II vessel was designed and constructed by CMN, a naval shipbuilding group specialising in the design, engineering, and construction of naval and commercial vessels.
The launch of the BR71 MK II multi-mission corvette is part of a major €1 billion contract to deliver three vessels to the Angolan Navy.
EDGE Group’s naval arm, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), subcontracted the design and construction of the first and third vessels to CMN Naval, while the second corvette will be built in Abu Dhabi by ADSB.
ADSB has already delivered six 12-meter and one of five 16-meter high-speed interceptors. The vessels form part of the Angolan Navy’s modern fleet and advanced capabilities, supporting critical maritime surveillance and national security objectives.
EDGE entity ANAVIA is also integrating the Swiss-designed HT-100 NAVAL unmanned helicopter on the corvettes.
Equipped with electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, two HT-100 NAVAL unmanned aerial systems (UASs) will be assigned to each corvette. The UASs will be fully integrated with the vessels’ combat management systems.
“Through close collaboration with CMN and other international partners, we are achieving major milestones for the Angolan Navy at a rapid pace. Having signed the contract just two years ago, the first 71-metre corvette has already been launched, and advanced interceptor vessels have been delivered. Two additional corvettes will follow, one to be built by CMN and the other by Abu Dhabi Ship Building in Abu Dhabi following a transfer of technology,” David Massey , CEO of ADSB, said.
The second BR71 MK II corvette is under construction by ADSB in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and the third is being built by CMN NAVAL in Cherbourg, France.
The launch of the FOC corvette is the latest development in the ongoing security partnership between Angola and the UAE.
In October last year, EDGE signed a letter of intent with the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Angola to deploy a comprehensive border security program.