France delivers new Offshore Patrol Vessel 58S Walo to Senegal.

According to information published by Piriou on August 23, 2023, a ceremony took place in Dakar to welcome the Offshore patrol vessel (OPV) 58S Walo.
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Senegalese Offshore Patrol Vessel 58S Walo. (Picture source: Piriou)

The ship departed from Brest on June 28, 2023, embarking on a journey that took it through the maritime territories of Spain, Portugal, Mauritania, and Morocco before arriving at its new home port in Dakar. The OPV 58S Walo is the first of a series of three patrol vessels built by Piriou for Senegal.

About the patrol vessel

The primary role of the Walo patrol vessel is to uphold Senegal's sovereignty in its exclusive economic zone, spanning 212,000 km² and stretching along 700 km of coastline.

This vital task demands the ship's multifaceted capabilities, from overseeing fisheries and controlling pollution to maritime search and rescue. It also plays a pivotal role in combating piracy, terrorism, smuggling, and illicit trade, primarily of drugs and arms.

The Walo measures 62.2 meters in length and is 9.5 meters wide. Its hull and superstructure are crafted from steel and aluminum, respectively. It's propelled by two robust diesel engines, each producing 2,220 kW, allowing it to reach top speeds of 21 knots (39 km/h).

The ship's arsenal includes two Marte MK2/N anti-ship missile launchers, a Simbad-RC missile launcher that can deploy two Mistral missiles, a 76 mm cannon, two 20 mm cannons, and twin 12.7 mm machine guns.

It's also fitted with the advanced Polaris combat management system. The patrol boat can deploy two fast rigid-hulled inflatable boats via dual ramps at its rear and boasts a 360-degree panoramic elevated bridge. With the capability to operate for approximately twenty-five days without resupplying, it has a range of up to 4,500 nautical miles (8,334 km).