France Prepares First BR71 Mk II Corvette for Angolan Navy

The first of three BR71 Mk II corvettes ordered for the Angolan Navy has been rolled out of the assembly dock at CMN’s shipyard in Cherbourg.

This was reported on the company’s official LinkedIn page.

Specialists are currently carrying out final outfitting work, including installing masts, sensors, and a 76-mm gun mount.

The project is an evolution of the Baynunah class previously built for the United Arab Emirates and is among the largest combat ships in the shipyard’s portfolio.

The armament of the new corvettes includes Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles, VL MICA surface-to-air missiles, Simbad RC launchers, and a 76-mm main gun.

Leonardo supplies the combat management system and sensors, while Lacroix Defence provides the electronic countermeasures equipment.

In addition to their armament, the ships are capable of operating a helicopter, an unmanned aerial vehicle, and RHIB high-speed boats.

The construction program is part of a broader contract, signed in 2021 and valued at about €1 billion, aimed at modernizing the Angolan Navy.

The launch of the lead ship is expected in March 2026, followed by sea trials and final delivery to the customer in October of the same year.

Under the same agreement, CMN has already delivered two 70-meter LCT-200 landing craft, three Ocean Eagle 43 patrol vessels, and port support ships to Angola.

The production process has been split between two sites to accelerate delivery.

While work on the lead hull is underway in France and construction of the second unit continues, the third corvette is being built in the United Arab Emirates at the Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding (ADSB) yard.

Industrial cooperation with the Emirati shipbuilder and technical support from French engineers are intended to ensure full compatibility across the class.

According to the schedule, the second and third ships are expected to be delivered to the Angolan Navy in 2027.