Construction work begins on Senegalese OPVs
Three vessels are scheduled to be built by mid-2024
Piriou on 21 October cut steel on the first of three 62m-long offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Senegalese Navy, in a ceremony at its shipyard in Concarneau, France.
The contract for the OPV 58 S vessels was signed in November 2019. Piriou did not disclose the value.
The construction programme for all three OPVs (also involving the Kership JV between Naval Group and Piriou) is scheduled for completion by mid-2024. Piriou will also provide multi-year support services for the vessels in Senegal.
Piriou CEO Vincent Faujour noted that the programme is a ‘real success’ for the Pass Export programme from the French government, which ‘’promotes and accelerates our ability to offer export financing and guarantees’.
The OPV 58 S is designed to conduct surveillance, identification and interdiction missions. Features include a large panoramic bridge with 360° visibility; a fast launch and recovery system for two RIBs; and a C-Sharp hull for optimized autonomy and seakeeping.
The OPVs will be able to reach up to 21kt, with endurance of 4,500nm for 21 days at 12 kt. Each vessel will carry 24 crew and 24 other personnel.
Armament includes MBDA Marte Mk2N anti-ship missiles and a SIMBAD-RC short-range SAM system with Mistral missiles. Naval Group is supplying its POLARIS combat management system.
Shephard Defence Insight describes an out-of-service date of 2048 for the vessels.
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