Angola has officially inaugurated a production line for the assembly and maintenance of naval vessels, in partnership with France’s CMN.
The Lobinave shipyard was on Monday 12 January launched by General Francisco Furtado, minister of state and chief of the Military Household of the President of the Republic, an organisation that commands the presidential security forces and advises the president on military matters.
“The world is facing geopolitical and geostrategic challenges that require each country to create the capacity to defend itself,” Furtado said. He emphasised that Angola has a 1 650 kilometre coastline and a large exclusive economic zone, leading President João Lourenço to outline a strategy to equip and modernise the navy, “so that it is up to the challenges and defence needs” of Angola.
Modernisation includes the construction of national maritime surveillance coordination centres. The first was inaugurated two years ago at the Soyo naval base, in Zaire Province, and two others are nearing completion in Lobito and Namibe. The programme also includes maritime surveillance antenna centres and repeater antennas to ensure communication and surveillance links between the various centres.
“The Navy has also begun to be equipped with aerial maritime surveillance assets. Two C295 maritime patrol aircraft, acquired by the Angolan government to equip the Navy with maritime surveillance aviation, arrived in the country in October last year, as part of close cooperation between the Navy and the national Air Force. Other investments are also underway,” Furtado said in a speech broadcast by Angola’s Public Television.
The Angop news agency reported the Lobinave yard will handle a range of Angolan Navy equipment such as WP18 interceptors, stealth assault and ultra high-speed special operations vessels, as well as frigates and corvettes.
Photo: Lobinave
It cited Lobinave chairman Hermenegildo dos Santos as saying the yard is undergoing an upgrade that includes the rehabilitation of its pier, the expansion of its repair park, and the installation of a new floating dock. He noted that it will continue to work on civilian as well as naval vessels.
Lobinave has partnered with France’s CMN, which is responsible for assembling equipment. The shipyard has delivered a number of vessels to Angola’s Navy since 2018, including DV15 and HSI32 interceptors, Ocean Eagle 43 long-range surveillance vessels, and most recently two LCT 200-70 landing ships.
It appears the Lobinave yard will manufacture DV15 interceptor vessels: television news coverage of the inauguration event showed a mould for the DV15 in a new shed at the yard and an incomplete DV15 hull. The 15 metre long DV15 is capable of exceeding 50 knots.
CMN is currently building the first two of three BR71 Mk II corvettes for Angola as part of a collaboration with Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding (ADSB). The first was recently rolled out of the assembly dock at CMN’s Cherbourg facility, with fitting out underway, including installation of the 76 mm gun mount.
The project is an evolution of the Baynunah class previously built for the United Arab Emirates and is among the largest combat ships in the shipyard’s portfolio. The armament of the new corvettes includes Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles, VL MICA surface-to-air missiles, Simbad RC launchers, and a 76 mm main gun. The ships are capable of operating a helicopter, an unmanned aerial vehicle, and RHIB high-speed boats.
The lead ship is expected to be launched in March this year, followed by sea trials and customer delivery in October. CMN is building the second vessel while ADSB is building the third. All three vessels should be in Angolan service in 2027.
Photo: CMN
The three corvettes are part of a larger order placed in 2021 between the CMN Group and Angola. The French shipbuilder has already delivered two 70 metre LCT-200-type tank landing craft, three 43-meter Ocean Eagle 43-type patrol boats, and two tug boats. The first patrol boat was delivered at the end of 2022 and the first LCT in 2023, with the remaining vessels arriving in Angola in early 2025 aboard the semi-submersible vessel Yacht Servant.
