TSAMTO, February 24. The launch of the second OPV-58S (Offshore Patrol Vessel) class patrol ship intended for the Senegalese Navy took place in France.
As reported by Defenceweb.co.za, the ceremony took place on February 2 at the enterprise of the French company Piriou in Lanester (Lorient district). After launching, the ship proceeded to Concarneau, where work will be carried out on its retrofitting and equipping with weapons.
As reported by TSAMTO, in November 2019, Senegal signed a contract with Piriou for the supply of three OPV-58S class patrol ships for the country's Navy. The delivery should be completed within 44 months - until the spring of 2024. The agreement also includes the subsequent technical support of the ships, which will be provided by the Piriou Ngom Senegal enterprise, established in October 2017 by Piriou and Ngom & Freres.
The construction of the ships is carried out by the joint venture Kership, formed by Piriou and Naval Group, at facilities in Concarneau and Lanester.
Cutting of steel for the construction of ships began in October 2020. Delivery of the first pair of ships to the customer is scheduled for 2023, the third - for 2024.
The OPV-58S developed by Piriou is a multi-purpose patrol ship with a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure designed for reconnaissance, identification of intruders and combat operations. In addition to the possibility of landing SSO units using high-speed RHIB boats, the ship will be able to use anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles for the first time in the history of the Senegalese Navy.
The length of the ship with a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure is 62.2 m, the maximum width is 9.5 m, the draft is 2.9 m. The ship will be equipped with a MAN 175D diesel engine, the estimated maximum speed is 21 knots, the cruising range is 4,500 nautical miles at a speed of 12 knots, and the autonomy is 25 days. 48 people can be accommodated on board (24 crew members + a landing party of 24 people).
