EDGE has launched NRA Nimi-ya-Lukeni (F301), the second BR71 MK II multi-mission corvette for the Angolan Navy, at the Abu Dhabi shipyard of its naval shipbuilding entity, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), on 29 October 2026.
Edge press release
The launch ceremony was attended by His Excellency Júlio Belarmino Gomes Maiato, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to the UAE, alongside senior leadership from EDGE and ADSB, Angolan Navy and government representatives, strategic partners and industry stakeholders.
Khaled Al Zaabi, President – Platforms & Systems, EDGE, and Chairman, ADSB, said: “Building the second corvette in Abu Dhabi is what genuine technology transfer should deliver. ADSB has applied that knowledge in its own shipyard, and corvettes for this programme have now been launched in both France and the UAE. This milestone is a credit to the engineers, production teams, technicians and industry partners behind it, and to the trust our Angolan customer has placed in ADSB.”
The 71-metre vessel is the first of its class to be built in the UAE, constructed by ADSB following a transfer of technology.
NRA Nimi-ya-Lukeni is the second of three BR71 MK II corvettes that ADSB is delivering under a EUR 1 billion contract signed in 2023. The first-of-class vessel, NRA Ekuikui II (F300), was designed and built by CMN Naval and launched in Cherbourg, France, in March 2026. ADSB has also delivered 12-metre and 16-metre high-speed interceptors as part of the programme.
Each corvette will carry two HT-100 NAVAL vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned helicopters from ANAVIA, the Switzerland-based EDGE entity, integrated with the vessel’s combat management system. All six systems have been delivered following Factory Acceptance Trials at ANAVIA’s facilities in Bilten, Switzerland, in August 2026. The programme brings naval platforms and unmanned systems from across EDGE together in one integrated solution.
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The Combattante BR71 MKII Design
The 71-metre Combattante ΒR71 MK II is a significant evolution and upgrade of CMN’s proven Baynunah-class (BR71 MKI design) corvette, which is currently in service with the UAE Navy with six vessels. Designed by CMN Naval for littoral warfare, the BR71 corvette is engineered to counter air and surface threats while also excelling in surveillance missions. The company highlights it as a fast, powerful, compact, and modular warship.
According to CMN, the MKII design incorporates significant technological improvements, while capitalizing on proven operational experience. The platform and its combat system have undergone validation in real-world conditions (sea-proven and combat-proven), guaranteeing robustness, reliability, and operational effectiveness.
With a length overall (LOA) of 70.30 meters and a length between perpendiculars of 62.3 meters, it features a maximum breadth of 11 meters and a depth to the main deck of 6 meters. The vessel’s full load displacement is approximately 900 tons, with a maximum draught of around 3 meters.
Performance-wise, the platform achieves a maximum speed of 30 knots (at half load) and a cruising speed of 12 knots, offering a range of 2,500 nautical miles at 12 knots cruising speed. Its fuel capacity is 100 tons, providing an endurance of 15 days, and it accommodates a crew of 50. Propulsion is powered by four MTU diesel engines located in two engine rooms, driving four Kongsberg waterjets, with two steering jets and two booster jets ensuring exceptional maneuverability and speed.
The platform’s hallmark is its operational adaptability, featuring Class II UAS operations and a 5-ton helicopter. The UAS is believed to be among the naval unmanned VTOL systems included in EDGE’s portfolio. The corvette’s expansive modular layout supports diverse mission requirements, while two 7.5-meter rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) with davit launching and recovering systems, enhance versatility for boarding, rescue, and inspection tasks.
The armament includes eight MBDA MM40 EXOCET Block 3C surface-to-surface missile (SSM) and a Leonardo OTO76/62 Super Rapido main gun. Directly behind the main gun is a row of eight vertical launching system (VLS) cells for the MBDA VL MICA surface-to-air missiles (SAM). Atop the RHIB hangar, two MBDA SIMBAD-RC trainable launchers are mounted, carrying a total of four fire-and-forget MISTRAL 3 SAM.
Located amidships, between the main mast and the SSM launchers, are two Leonardo LIONFISH remote weapon stations (RWS), likely the LIONFISH 20mm variant, which will also be installed on the Greek Kimon-class (FDI HN) frigates and the upgraded Island-class coastal patrol vessels. Near the SSM launchers, two decoy launching systems (DLS), confirmed to be the Lacroix SYLENA LW, are present.
The sensor systems includes a Leonardo KRONOS NAVAL HP C-band multi-function radar (MFR) enclosed within the conical radome of the integrated mast atop the bridge, along with a Leonardo NA-25X fire control radar (FCR) and Leonardo Medusa MK4 EO/IR system positioned forward of the radar dome. A small mast at the rear and above the RHIB bay is fitted with communication equipment.
Above the radar dome, the ELT/332 integrated radar and communications electronic support measures (R-ESM & C-ESM) and communications intelligence (COMINT) sensor is installed, that is provided by ELT Group (Elettronica). The ELT/332 system is also deployed on the two Musherib-class fast attack craft (FACM) of the Qatari Emiri Navy and the two Bani Yas-class (GOWIND 2800) corvettes of the UAE. As most of the sensor suite is supplied by Leonardo, the combat management system (CMS) is the ATHENA C Mk2. Overall, the electronic equipment layout closely resembles that of the Falaj 3-class armed offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).
