Senegal is close to receive first new French-made OPV 58 S offshore patrol vessels.

According to information published by the "African Military Blog" on September 3, 2021, Senegal is close to receiving its new OPV 58 S patrol vessels under construction by the French shipyard Piriou.
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Artist rendering of OPV Offshore Patrol Vessel OPV 58 S for the Senegalese Navy. (Picture source Piriou)

In November 2019, it was announced that the Defense Ministry of Senegal and French shipbuilder PIRIOU has signed a contract for the procurement of three OPV 58 S OPVs (Offshore Patrol Vessels) for the Senegalese Navy. These ships will be armed with surface-to-air missiles produced by MBDA.

The French shipyard Piriou expects to launch the first OPV 58 S for the Senegalese Navy in 2022 with first delivery of two vessels in 2023 and the last one in 2024. Piriou design and manufacture a wide of warships including multipurpose vessels, specialized ships, coastal patrol vessels and OPVs (Offshore Patrol Vessels).

The OPV 58 S is a patrol vessel fully developed and manufactured by the French shipyard Piriou. The ship is designed to perform surveillance and combat missions. She has a length of 62 m, a wide of 9.5 m and a draft of 2.9 m. The ship is built with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure with a 360 degree panoramic bridge.

The OPV 58 S will be powered by MAN 175D diesel engine. She will able to reach a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h) with a maximum cruising range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,334 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h) with an endurance of 25 days. She will have a crew of 24 people and can accommodate 24 military personnel.

The OPV 58 S will be armed with one Leonardo 76mm naval gun by Leonardo, four anti-ship missiles, two 12.7mm machine guns, two 20mm Nexter Narwhal remote weapon stations and MBDA SIMBAD-RC surface-to-air system.