Angolan Navy

The Angolan Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angolana) or MGA is the naval branch of the Angolan Armed Forces and is tasked with protecting Angola's 1,600 km long coastline. The Angolan Navy has approximately 1,000 personnel.

History
The Angolan Navy was officially founded on 10 July 1976, though it traces its origins to 11 November 1975 when Angolans took over naval facilities abandoned by the Portuguese Navy. Angolan Navy forces participated in the Angolan Civil War. In 2023, the Angolan Navy took possession of a new Portuguese-built naval base at Soyo. The base is larger than the Angolan Navy's primary facilities in Luanda.

Modernization
Angola's oil wealth is allowing it to modernize its naval forces as most of the existing fleet are Soviet Navy exports from the 1980s. It was reported in 2009 that Angola was hoping to sign a US$800m deal with Germany for 3 new border protection Fast Attack Craft, probably Lurssen PV80's. They were still trying to complete the deal in 2011 and there has been no word on it since.

In December 2013 it was reported that Angola would be buying a package of old ships from the Spanish Navy. Príncipe de Asturias (R11) a small (16,000t) Harrier carrier, to be transferred along with Pizarro (L42) a Newport class landing ship, Diana (F32) a Descubierta class corvette converted to minesweeper support ship, Chilreu (P61) lead ship of its class of ocean patrol vessels, and Ízaro (P27) an Anaga class patrol ship. This deal never came to pass.

Structure

 * Naval War Institute (INSG)
 * Naval Academy
 * Naval Specialist School
 * 3 Coastal Surveillance Companies (CRTOC)
 * 1 Naval Infantry Unit - 1 Light Amphibious Battalion (4 Marine Companies, 1 Naval Police Unit, 1 Amphibious Operations Unit)
 * Special Forces, heavy weapons, snipers, boarding units, and an armored section.

Corvette
A corvette is a small warship. It is traditionally the smallest class of vessel considered to be a proper (or "rated") warship. The warship class above the corvette is the frigate.

Fast Missile Craft
Small ships or boats designed to fire anti-ship missiles. First used by the Soviet Union, missile-armed FAC's could be used to sink much larger enemy naval ships.

Fast Torpedo Craft
Small ships or boats designed to fire torpedoes. First used in the Second World War by both the Royal Navy and the Kriegsmarine, FAC's could be used to sink much larger enemy naval ships.

Inland/Coastal Patrol Boats
Small border protection craft often used for anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, and border patrolling. May be designed for use on estuaries and rivers (brown water) or oceanic (blue water) environments.

On 5 September 2014, the Angolan Minister of Defence João Manuel Lourenço and Brazil's Minister of Defence Celso Amorim signed a Memorandum of Understanding as part of Angola's Naval Power Development Program (PRONAVAL). The MOU specifies that Angola will acquire seven Macaé-class patrol vessel, four to be built in Brazil, and three in Angola. The Brazilian EMGEPRON will have the lead in the project, overseeing the Angolan shipyard and training in addition to overall project management.

Mine Warfare Craft
Small ship designed for either clearing up minefields or deploying new minefields.

Amphibious Vessels
Ship designed to deploy troops on coasts and beaches during amphibious assault operations.



Coastal Defense Equipment
Defensive equipment, both active and passive, used to defend Angola's coasts.
 * 1) SS-C1 Sepal Radar System.

Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Aircraft designed for maritime patrols, often involving anti-ship, anti-submarine, and search and rescue duties.

Commissioned officer ranks
The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Other ranks
The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.