# Work progresses on Angolan Navy Corvette program

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2025/01/work-progresses-on-angolan-navy-corvette-program/
- Published: 2025-01-07T12:14:06+01:00
- Author: Patrick Kenyette

Work has begun on three BR71 MKII Corvettes for the Angolan Navy at CMN yard in 
France.

CMN NAVAL and ADSB successfully conducted the simultaneous keel laying for the C200
blocks of the Angolan Navy BR71 Corvette program. The events took place in Cherbourg
and Abu Dhabi last year October.

Steel was cut for the first corvette in December 2023 and the hull was laid down
in March, with fitting out of the first vessel commencing ahead of delivery in 2026.

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![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Angolan-navy-BR71-MKII-
Corvettes-uae-1024x563.jpg)

In February 2023, the Angolan government [signed](https://www.military.africa/2023/02/uae-shipbuilder-inks-deal-to-build-a-fleet-of-corvettes-for-angola/)
a landmark €1 billion contract with EDGE Group subsidiary, Abu Dhabi Ship Building(
ADSB). Under this agreement, ADSB will construct a fleet of 3x 71-meter corvettes
for the Angolan Navy.

The vessels will be armed with eight MBDA Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles, MBDA VL
Mica (8 cells) SAM missiles, Simbad-RC SAM, and 76 mm Super Rapid (SR) Shipboard
Gun from Leonardo DRS.

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According to Edge group, the 71-metre BR71 MK II Combattante vessel represents a
powerful and exciting evolution and upgrade to the
CMN (Construction Mécaniques 
de Normandie) seaproven Baynunah class. The corvettes will be based on ADSB’s BR71
MK II design, which is an improved version of the six Baynunah-class ships that 
French company CMN delivered to the UAE Navy with ADSB’s assistance. Designed by
CMN for littoral warfare defence operations against air and surface threats and 
a range of surveillance missions, the platform is fast, powerful, compact and modular.

David Massey, CEO of ADSB said: “At ADSB, we feel a tremendous sense of pride in
signing a EUR 1 billion export deal. The BR71 MKII corvette is a highly advanced
vessel capable of performing multiple missions to secure Angola’s 1600 km coastline.
We look forward to fulfilling the Angolan Navy’s operational requirements and strengthening
their naval capabilities while expanding ADSB’s avenues of growth.”

It was also announced during IDEX that [ADSB had signed an agreement with Elettronica](https://www.military.africa/2023/02/elettronica-to-supply-electronic-warfare-systems-for-angolas-br71-mk-ii-corvettes/),
an Italian company that contributed to the Baynunah programme, to supply their electronic
warfare systems.

Angola’s official news agency reported that minister of defence João Ernesto dos
Santos attended IDEX and discussed increasing military co-operation with his Emirati
counterpart, Mohammed Ahmed al-Bowardi, but did not mention the corvette order.

Elettronica said the selection of its electronic warfare equipment by Abu Dhabi 
Ship Building came on the back of previous successful integration programmes between
the two companies “and this new collaboration confirms the commitment to keep working
together.”

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The Angolan Navy has previously contracted the French company CMN for naval vessels,
it [recently took delivery of the first of three Ocean Eagle trimaran patrol boats](https://www.military.africa/2022/11/angolan-navy-receives-ocean-eagle-trimaran-patrol-boat-from-french-cmn/)
from French shipbuilder CMN (Construction Mecanique de Normandie) in November 2022.

In July 2023, Angola [took delivery](https://www.military.africa/2023/07/angola-takes-delivery-70-meter-landing-ship-from-french-cmn/)
of 70-meter landing ship from French CMN

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