ABU DHABI, UAE — EDGE Group has launched the NRA Nimi-ya-Lukeni (F301), the second BR71 MK II multi-mission corvette for the Angolan Navy. The ceremony took place on 29 October 2026 at Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) in the UAE.
The 70.3-metre warship is the first BR71 MK II corvette built in the UAE, following a technology transfer agreement with French shipbuilder CMN Naval. It is the second of three vessels covered by a €1 billion contract signed in 2023. The first corvette, NRA Ekuikui II (F300), was built in France and launched in Cherbourg in March 2026. ADSB has also delivered 12-metre and 16-metre high-speed interceptors under the programme.
Design and Propulsion
Based on the Baynunah-class design developed for the UAE Navy, the BR71 MK II is intended for maritime security, littoral warfare, anti-air and anti-surface operations, and EEZ monitoring.
The vessel has a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure designed to reduce its radar cross-section. It measures 70.3 metres in length, has an 11-metre beam and displaces approximately 900 tonnes at full load.
Its propulsion system uses four MTU diesel engines and four Kongsberg waterjets, providing a maximum speed exceeding 30 knots. It has a range of 2,500 nautical miles at 12 knots and an endurance of 15 days. The ship accommodates 50 crew members and is classified by Bureau Veritas.
It also features a landing platform for helicopters in the five-tonne class and two approximately 7.5-metre rigid-hulled inflatable boats.
Weapons and Sensors
The BR71 MK II's planned combat configuration includes a Leonardo OTO 76/62 Super Rapido 76mm naval gun, supported by 20mm or 27mm remote weapon stations, including Leonardo LIONFISH systems.
Its missile armament includes eight MBDA MM40 Exocet Block 3C anti-ship missiles, eight vertical-launch cells for VL MICA surface-to-air missiles, and MISTRAL 3 missiles using trainable launchers.
The sensor suite includes the Leonardo KRONOS NAVAL HP 3D radar, NA-25X fire-control radar, ELT/332 electronic warfare system, electro-optical/infrared sensors and the ATHENA C Mk2 combat management system. Lacroix Sylena decoy-launching systems are also included.
HT-100 Naval Unmanned Helicopters
Each of Angola's three corvettes will operate two HT-100 NAVAL unmanned helicopters, providing six systems across the fleet.
Developed by Switzerland-based ANAVIA, an EDGE-owned company, these VTOL unmanned aircraft support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. They are designed to integrate with the ships' combat management systems.
All six systems completed Factory Acceptance Trials at ANAVIA's facilities in Bilten, Switzerland, in August 2026, before delivery.
The launch ceremony was attended by Angolan Ambassador to the UAE Júlio Belarmino Gomes Maiato, alongside senior officials from EDGE, ADSB and the Angolan Navy.
EDGE's President of Platforms & Systems and ADSB Chairman, Khaled Al Zaabi, said building the second corvette in Abu Dhabi demonstrated the results of technology transfer. He credited local engineers, technicians and production teams for completing the vessel.
The programme combines UAE-based naval shipbuilding, French design expertise and EDGE's unmanned systems, strengthening defence industrial cooperation between the UAE and Angola.
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