TSAMTO, June 13. A ceremony of the official transfer of the first OPV-58S (Offshore Patrol Vessel) class patrol ship, "Walo", to the command of the Senegalese Navy took place at the enterprise of the French company Piriou in Brittany.
The Valo is the first of three OPV–58S class ships under construction under a contract signed in November 2019 with the Ministry of the Armed Forces of Senegal.
Construction of the ship began in October 2020, launching took place on April 11, 2022. As planned, the second ship of the series, Niani, will be delivered to the customer at the end of 2023. The third ship, Cayor, was launched on May 2, 2023 and will be delivered in early 2024.
As reported by TSAMTO, the Ministry of the Armed Forces of Senegal signed a contract with Piriou for the supply of three OPV-58S (Offshore Patrol Vessel) class patrol ships for the country's Navy in November 2019. The delivery should be completed within 44 months – until the spring of 2024. The agreement also includes the subsequent technical support of the vessels, which will be provided by the joint company Piriou Ngom Senegal, established in October 2017 by Piriou and Ngom & Freres.
Cutting of steel for the construction of ships began in October 2020. The construction of the ships is carried out at the enterprises in Concarneau and Lanester by the Kership joint venture formed by Piriou and Naval Group. The hull of the first ship was built in Concarneau, the second – at the Kership Lorient enterprise in Lanester. Equipment and armament is carried out by Piriou in Concarneau. Delivery of the first pair of ships to the customer is scheduled for 2023, and the third – for 2024.
The OPV-58S developed by Piriou is a multi-purpose patrol ship made of steel with an aluminum superstructure designed for reconnaissance, identification of violators 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 is 62.2 m, the maximum width is 9.5 m, the draft is 2.9 m, the total displacement is 600 tons. The MAN 175D diesel engine allows you to reach a maximum speed of 21 knots, a range of 4,500 nautical miles at a speed of 12 knots, autonomy – 21 days. 48 people can be accommodated on board (24 crew members + 24 paratroopers). The ship can take on board 2 RHIB boats and two 20-foot containers.
The armament of the ships includes 76/62 mm AU Super Rapid of the Leonardo group, four anti-ship missiles "Marte" MK2 /N, allowing to hit targets at a distance of more than 30 km, SIMBAD-RC SAM with two missiles "Mistral 3" of the MBDA group, two 20-mm DUMV Narwhal of Nexter and two 12.7mm machine guns.
The ships are equipped with the Terma Scanter detection radar, the Sperry Marine navigation radar, the Safran PASEO XLR identification and fire control system, the Vigy electron-optical system providing a 360 degree view, and the Naval Group's Polaris combat control system.
