French shipyard Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN) has launched and named the first BR72 Mk II corvette for the Angolan Navy.
The NRA Ekuikui II was launched on 4 March, CMN said. Now that the vessel has been launched, sea trials will soon commence, and the vessel will be delivered to Angola in October. “Designed for demanding missions, NRA Ekuikui II will contribute to safeguarding Angola’s maritime domain and strengthening security and stability at sea,” the shipyard said.
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) under a broader 2021 naval contract. ADSB is building the third, and all three vessels should be in Angolan service in 2027.
The Combattante BR71 Mk II is an advanced variant of the Baynunah class (BR71 design) corvette developed by CMN, a part of Privinvest Shipbuilding Group. The 70 metre long vessel is designed for littoral warfare defence operations against air and surface threats, patrolling tasks, law enforcement and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
It has a crew of 50 and maximum speed of 30 knots, with range of 2 500 nautical miles at 12 knots. Four MTU engines drive two steering and two booster water-jets. It can accommodate a 5 ton class helicopter on a rear deck and two six metre RHIBs.
Aerospace company ANAVIA, part of the UAE’s EDGE Group, is integrating the Swiss-designed HT-100 NAVAL unmanned helicopter on the BR71 MK II Combattante 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 vessel’s combat management systems.
Photo: ANAVIA
Ishan Sahgal, Founder and Co-CEO of ANAVIA, said, “We are delivering a proven force multiplier for maritime surveillance to the Angolan Navy. In addition to the advanced performance and reliability of the HT-100, we are also providing a custom-made control station and integrated logistics support and training.”
According to Mer et Marine, the Angolan BR71 Mk IIs will be fitted with eight Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles, a VL Mica surface-to-air missile system, and a Simbad-RC short-range air defence system, along with a 76 mm gun turret supplied by Leonardo. French company Lacroix will supply anti-missile decoy systems.
Photo: EDGE
The three corvettes are part of a larger 1 billion euro 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. CMN has also supplied DV15 and HSI32 interceptors to Angola.
Angola’s partnership with CMN extends to local assembly and maintenance. In mid-January, Angola launched its Lobinave shipyard in collaboration with CMN. This 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.
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.
Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding, part of the EDGE group, on 10 March said it has delivered six 12-metre and one of five 16-metre 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.”
David Massey, CEO of ADSB, said, “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.”
EDGE noted that the launch of the BR71 Mk II corvette for Angola 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 solution to the African nation.
