Edge Group has delivered six ANAVIA HT-100 NAVAL uncrewed helicopters to the Angolan Navy following the successful completion of factory acceptance trials (FAT) in Switzerland.
The trials, conducted between 24-28 August at ANAVIA’s facility in Bilten, involved operational flight testing of all six systems.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Representatives from the Angolan Navy and Simportex, Angola’s defence procurement enterprise, observed the process, Edge stated in a 10 September release.
The successful FAT mark a step forward in the €1bn ($1.16bn) naval modernisation programme between Edge and the Angolan Navy that includes the delivery of three 71m multi-mission BR71 MK II corvettes.
Each corvette will be equipped with two of the delivered uncrewed helicopters, which are set to be fully integrated into the vessels’ combat management systems.
The HT-100 NAVAL systems are equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, aiming to strengthen the Angolan Navy’s maritime operational capabilities.
Edge platforms and systems president Khaled Al Zaabi said: “The successful completion of the Factory Acceptance Trials marks an important milestone in the delivery of this advanced capability to the Angolan Navy.
“Through close collaboration across Edge, ADSB, and ANAVIA, we are combining naval platforms and unmanned systems to deliver an integrated solution aligned with Angola’s operational requirements.”
Following the delivery of all six HT-100 NAVAL systems, the next stage involves installing them on the BR71 MK II vessels.
Integration will be followed by sea trials in Angola to test the helicopter systems alongside the corvettes, moving the programme towards active deployment with the Angolan Navy.
ANAVIA co-CEO and founder Ishan Sahgal said: “This milestone demonstrates our ability to deliver a complete, fully autonomous system for shipborne operations, closely tailored to the customer’s operational requirements.
“The close cooperation with the Angolan Navy, Edge, and our industry partners demonstrates our innovative capabilities and further strengthens international confidence in our products.”
Under a transfer of technology framework, Edge Group’s naval arm, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), subcontracted the design and construction of the first and third vessels of the programme to CMN Naval in France, while the second corvette is being built locally in Abu Dhabi by ADSB.
The first vessel, NRA Ekuikui II, was launched in Cherbourg, France, in March this year.
