The Angolan Navy Orders Three BR71 MKII Corvettes From EDGE Group
Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), a subsidiary of the UAE defense company EDGE Group, announced a €1 billion contract to supply the Angolan Navy with a fleet of BR71 Mk II corvettes. The contract was signed at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) during the Naval Defense Exhibition (NAVDEX 2023). While the company did not share contract details, EDGE CEO Mansour AlMulla told Breaking Defense that Angola will purchase three BR71 MKII 71-meter corvettes and various payloads as part of the deal. Aside from the three BR71 Mk II corvettes, ADSB CEO David Massey said that the deal also includes an unspecified number of smaller Edge-designed boats.
“Signing a EUR 1 billion defense export deal represents a momentous achievement for EDGE as well as ADSB,” said Khalid Al Breiki, Head of EDGE Platforms and Systems. “This demonstrates our strategic approach and unwavering commitment to increasing national exports in accordance with the directive of the UAE leadership.” Massey 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.”
The Combattante BR71 Mk II is an evolution and upgrade of the sea-tested BR family vessels (Baynunah class). The ship is intended for littoral warfare defense operations against air and surface threats, as well as patrolling, law enforcement, and ISR missions. The BR71 MKII corvettes, according to Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), are highly sophisticated ships outfitted with advanced mission systems such as 3D radar, electronic warfare suite, secure communications, main armament, and surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missile systems. The ship, which can accommodate a crew of 50, has a length of 70.3 meters and a width of 11 meters. The ship, which is powered by four diesel engines, has a range of 2500 knots and a top speed of 30 knots. Two 6.5-meter-long RHIBs for maritime policing and support missions are also available on board, along with a flight deck for light-medium helicopters.