The Ministry of Armed Forces of Senegal has awarded French shipbuilder PIRIOU a contract for the construction of three 62-meter offshore patrol vessels (OPV).
The contract signing was attended by the president of the Republic of Senegal and the French ministerial delegation.
PIRIOU expects to launch work on the program in early 2020 when the contract comes into force. The three patrol vessels are scheduled for delivery over time span of 44 months.
Dubbed the OPV 58 S, the ships will be tasked with surveillance and sea control and law enforcement at sea. In addition to projection capabilities – such as commando fast boats– the OPV will also be fitted with surface to air weapon systems.
The units will have a top speed of 21 knots and an autonomy of 25 days at sea. They will have a complement of 48 and launching and recovery systems for two fast boats on stern ramp.
