CMN and Edge Group launch first BR71 Mk II corvette for Angola

The first-of-class BR71 Mk II corvette for the Angolan Navy, NRA Ekuikui II, seen at launch at CMN's Cherbourg yard in March 2026. (Edge Group)

The United Arab Emirates (UAE)-owned Edge Group, and French shipyard Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN) launched the first-of-class BR71 Mk II corvette, NRA Ekuikui II (F 300), for the Angolan Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angolana: MGA) on 4 March.

The BR71 Mk II was an updated version of the Baynunah-class corvettes in service with the UAE Navy. Serge Quaranta, CEO of CMN, said on 4 March that between the early 2000s and 2012, CMN and Edge Group subsidiary Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) worked together to produce the six Baynunah-class corvettes.

ADSB subcontracted the design and construction of the first two vessels to CMN Naval, while the construction of the third corvette was undertaken by ADSB. The EUR1 billion (then USD1.05 billion) contract including three BR71 Mk IIs was signed in February 2023.

Quaranta added on 4 March that Ekuikui II would be delivered to the MGA in October 2026. He added that the second-of-class BR71 Mk II, currently being built by ADSB in Abu Dhabi, is scheduled for delivery in April 2027, followed in October 2027 by the third-of-class, also being built by CMN in Cherbourg. CMN said in an online post on 5 March that the first BR71 Mk II, 70 m long, with a top speed of 30 kt and 2,500 n miles range, would now begin dockside trials followed by sea trials and crew training.

ADSB said in a press release on 10 March that it had separately delivered six 12 m and the first of five 16 m high-speed interceptor boats to the MGA.