Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), a subsidiary of the UAE-based defense group EDGE, has launched the first new corvette built for the Angolan Navy under a joint project carried out with French shipbuilder CMN. The vessel, named NRA Ekuikui II (F300), is based on CMN’s BR71 design. The launch ceremony was held at ADSB facilities, and the development is being seen as an important milestone in the modernization process of the Angolan Navy.

As part of the three-ship program, two corvettes are being built in the UAE by ADSB, while the third and final ship will be completed at CMN’s shipyard in France. This approach not only strengthens international cooperation in naval shipbuilding, but also brings together the infrastructure and expertise of different shipyards within the same program. The new corvettes are expected to provide a major boost to Angola’s capabilities in maritime security, coastal defense, and control of its exclusive economic zone.

From a weapons standpoint, the corvette features a highly notable configuration. The ship is equipped with a 76 mm naval gun supplied by Italy’s Leonardo as its main gun system, while two Lionfish 20 mm remote-controlled weapon stations provide close-in defense against asymmetric threats. The vessel’s primary strike capability is formed by eight Exocet Block 3C anti-ship missiles. However, it has also been indicated that the MANSUP-ER anti-ship missile, developed by EDGE Group together with Brazil’s SIATT and powered by the KTJ3200 turbojet engine produced by Kale Arge, could be integrated into this configuration in the future. This possibility points to greater operational flexibility and broader munition options for the platform in the years ahead.

For air defense missions, the corvette is fitted with MICA VL missiles launched from an eight-cell vertical launch system, along with two SIMBAD-RC launchers for Mistral missiles. This setup gives the ship a layered defense capability not only against surface threats but also against aerial targets. In addition, the BR71 MkII Combattante-class vessel carries two HT-100 rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, also produced within EDGE Group, to support reconnaissance, surveillance, and patrol missions. Taken together, these features make the new corvette built for the Angolan Navy a platform worth close attention in terms of firepower, defensive systems, and unmanned systems integration, with the potential to influence naval power balances in Africa.