Brazil is to help Angola build its naval capability through the supply of naval patrol boats and the transfer of technology.

The effort comes under a memorandum of understanding that was signed late last week in Brazil by the defense ministers of both countries.

Under the deal, Brazil will supply Angola with seven patrol boats. Four will be produced in Brazil by the Brazilian Navy's Empresa Gerencial de Projetos Navais. The remaining three will be built in a new Angolan shipyard to be built with technical advice, materials and equipment from Brazil.

Moreover, the Brazilian Navy will provide education and training of Angolan personnel both to build and to operate the vessels that will be built in the new shipyard.

Each of the patrol boats will displace about 500 tons but their technical configuration has yet to be finalized.

Brazil's Ministry of Defense said Brazil it will also train Angolan personnel to build and operate vessels and qualify Angolan sailors for the merchant marine.