DBDC INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE PUBLICATIONS & EVENTS UK LTD

Photo credit: EDGE Group

EDGE Group has announced the launch of the first-of-class (FOC) BR71 MK II Combattante multi-mission corvette, NRA Ekuikui II, marking a significant milestone in Angola’s ongoing naval modernisation programme and efforts to strengthen maritime security along its Atlantic coastline.

The vessel was launched at CMN Naval’s shipyard in Cherbourg, France, as part of a EUR 1 billion contract between EDGE and the Angolan Navy for the delivery of three advanced corvettes designed to enhance the country’s ability to protect its territorial waters, offshore energy infrastructure, and maritime trade routes.

Located along the strategically important Gulf of Guinea, Angola plays a critical role in regional maritime security. The region remains vulnerable to threats including illegal fishing, smuggling, piracy, and offshore energy infrastructure attacks, making modern naval capabilities increasingly essential for coastal states seeking to safeguard their maritime domain.

The BR71 MK II Combattante programme is being delivered through a partnership between EDGE Group’s naval entity Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) and French shipbuilder CMN Naval, a globally recognised company specialising in the design and construction of naval vessels.

Under the agreement, the first two corvettes are being constructed by CMN in France, while the third vessel will be built by ADSB in Abu Dhabi following a transfer of technology, further strengthening industrial cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and Angola.

Measuring 71 metres in length, the BR71 MK II Combattante is designed as a multi-mission naval platform capable of supporting a wide range of operations including maritime surveillance, coastal defence, anti-surface warfare, and patrol missions across Angola’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

In addition to the corvette programme, ADSB has already delivered six 12-metre high-speed interceptors and one 16-metre interceptor vessel to the Angolan Navy. These fast patrol craft provide rapid response capabilities for maritime interdiction operations, border protection, and law enforcement missions.

David Massey, CEO of ADSB, emphasised the rapid progress achieved through the partnership.

“Through close collaboration with CMN and other international partners, we are achieving major milestones for the Angolan Navy at a rapid pace,” he said. “Having signed the contract just two years ago, the first 71-metre corvette has already been launched, and advanced interceptor vessels have been delivered.”

The new corvettes will also incorporate unmanned aerial capabilities, significantly expanding their surveillance reach. EDGE subsidiary ANAVIA is integrating the HT-100 NAVAL unmanned helicopter, a Swiss-designed rotary-wing unmanned aerial system (UAS), onto the vessels.

Photo credit: EDGE Group

Each corvette will deploy two HT-100 systems, equipped with electro-optic and infrared (EO/IR) sensors capable of supporting maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and intelligence missions. The unmanned helicopters will be fully integrated with the vessels’ combat management systems, enabling real-time data sharing and enhanced situational awareness during naval operations.

According to Ishan Sahgal, Founder and Co-CEO of ANAVIA, the integration of the HT-100 platform will provide the Angolan Navy with a significant operational advantage.

“We are delivering a proven force multiplier for maritime surveillance to the Angolan Navy,” he said, noting that the project also includes a dedicated control station, logistics support, and training for naval personnel.

The launch of NRA Ekuikui II highlights Angola’s continued investment in maritime security and reflects the growing defence cooperation between Angola and the United Arab Emirates. As coastal states across Africa seek to address increasingly complex maritime threats, modern naval platforms such as the BR71 MK II corvette are expected to play a key role in strengthening regional maritime security across the Gulf of Guinea.