United Arab Emirates-based defense group EDGE has delivered six ANAVIA HT-100 NAVAL unmanned helicopters to the Angolan Navy following the completion of factory acceptance trials (FAT).
The trials were conducted from August 24 to 28 at ANAVIA’s facilities in Bilten, Switzerland, and were attended by representatives of the Angolan Navy and Simportex, Angola’s state-owned company responsible for the supply and acquisition of defense and security equipment.
The FAT included the first operational flight tests of all six HT-100 NAVAL systems. Following the successful completion of the trials, all six unmanned helicopters were delivered to the Angolan Navy for integration with the service’s BR71 MK II corvettes.
The six HT-100 NAVAL systems will be deployed across three BR71 MK II corvettes being delivered to Angola by EDGE’s naval subsidiary, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB). Each vessel will receive two unmanned helicopters, which will be integrated with the corvettes’ combat management systems.
Equipped with electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, the HT-100 NAVAL is intended to extend the corvettes’ maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and provide an unmanned capability for naval operations.
"This milestone demonstrates our ability to deliver a complete, fully autonomous system for shipborne operations, closely tailored to the customer’s operational requirements. The close cooperation with the Angolan Navy, EDGE, and our industry partners demonstrates our innovative capabilities and further strengthens international confidence in our products," Ishan Sahgal, Co-CEO and Founder, ANAVIA, said.
With delivery of all six HT-100 NAVAL systems now complete, the program will progress to their integration onboard the BR71 MK II platforms. This will be followed by sea trials of the integrated capability on the vessels in Angola, bringing the programme closer to operational service with the Angolan Navy.
The BR71 MK II program forms part of a €1 billion contract between EDGE and the Angolan Navy covering three 71-meter multi-mission corvettes.
The first-of-class vessel, NRA Ekuikui II, was launched in Cherbourg, France, while the second corvette is being constructed by ADSB in Abu Dhabi and the third by CMN Naval in Cherbourg. The program represents a significant international naval engagement for EDGE and supports the Angolan Navy’s ongoing modernization and maritime security requirements.
