Lourenco charges Angola to start building warships

Angolan President Joao Lourenco, on Monday, said the country should start constructing warships and invest in building shipyards.

Initiating warship construction in Angola could lay the groundwork for the country’s naval industry, the president, told a ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of the Angolan Navy.

Lourenco is also Angola’s commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

He said that Angola, along with other countries in Central and Southern Africa, must be prepared to contribute to the security of the Gulf of Guinea.

Gulf of Guinea is a crucial maritime route for international trade, due to its geographical location.

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The navy has the duty to protect territorial waters from external threats, maritime piracy, illegal fishing and the depletion of national marine resources, Lourenco said.

The president said his government has ordered three modern corvettes as part of his modernisation efforts.

He said two Airbus C-295 aircraft capable of maritime reconnaissance and surveillance missions will arrive later this year. (Xinhua)