# Senegal’s first OPV 58S vessels is almost complete

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2021/09/senegals-opv-58s-vessels-are-almost-complete/
- Published: 2021-09-03T16:06:19+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

Senegal is one step closer to receiving it’s first missile-armed OPV 58 S patrol
vessel from French Piriou group.

Eleven months after the steel cutting ceremony was held in Concarneau Flag of France,
the first of three missile-armed OPV 58 S for the Senegalese Navy is now in the 
fitting-out stage.

![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Senegals-OPV-58S-almost-complete-
scaled.jpg)

Recent images indicates that the Senegalese Navy OPV 58 S vessel almost complete.(
PIRIOU)

The cutting ceremony was attended by General Birame Diop, Chief of the General Staff
of Senegal’s military, and Admiral Oumar Wade, Chief of Staff of the Senegalese 
Navy.

The vessel will be launched in 2022, with the other two units scheduled for delivery
in 2023 and the 3rd vessel scheduled for 2024.

The [contract for three OPV 58 S](https://www.military.africa/2021/09/senegals-opv-58s-vessels-are-almost-complete/military.africa/2019/11/senegal-orders-three-opv-58-s-patrol-vessels-from-france?amp)
was signed in November 2019 by the Ministry of Armed Forces of Senegal and the PIRIOU
group.

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![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Senegalese-navy-OPV-58S-1024x576.
jpg)

OPV 58S

Included in the contract is a follow on support which will be conducted at PIRIOU
NGOM site in Senegal.

The OPV 58 S is part of the Senegalese Navy [fleet recapitalisation efforts which began in 2019.](https://www.military.africa/2021/09/senegals-opv-58s-vessels-are-almost-complete/military.africa/2019/12/senegals-navy-outlines-fleet-procurement-plan-ahead-of-amsf-2020?amp)
This acquisition was first unveiled during the [Africa Maritime Security Forum  (AMSF 2020)](https://www.military.africa/2021/09/senegals-opv-58s-vessels-are-almost-complete/military.africa/2019/12/senegals-navy-outlines-fleet-procurement-plan-ahead-of-amsf-2020)
held between 20th – 22nd January, 2020 in Dakar, Senegal.

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Senegal has placed order for a plethora on naval patrol boats including [four Shaldag Mk II vessels from Israel,](https://www.military.africa/2021/09/senegals-opv-58s-vessels-are-almost-complete/military.africa/2020/05/israel-shipyards-set-to-deliver-shaldag-mk-ii-patrol-boat-to-senegal?amp)
and a single Shaldag Mk V, [two RPB 33 patrol boats from Raidco Marine,](https://www.military.africa/2021/09/senegals-opv-58s-vessels-are-almost-complete/military.africa/2019/04/senegalese-navy-orders-two-rpb-33-patrol-boats-from-raidco-marine)
both patrol boats are currently being built at the UFAST Shipyard.

To power the new vessels, engine manufacturer [MAN Energy Solutions was contracted to provide engines for three OPV 58 S patrol boats.](https://www.military.africa/2021/09/senegals-opv-58s-vessels-are-almost-complete/military.africa/2021/03/man-engines-to-power-west-african-naval-vessels)

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The OPV 58 S are 62 metres long, 9.5 metres wide and have a maximum draft of 2.9
metres. They are built with a steel hulls and aluminium superstructures with a 360
degree panoramic bridge.

The top speed is 21 knots with a range of 4 500 miles at 12 knots, for a 25 day 
endurance.

The vessels are able to accommodate up to 48 people, including 24 crew members.

The OPV 58 S patrol vessels are armed with four MBDA anti-ship missiles (Marte Mk
2Ns) and the MBDA SIMBAD-RC air defence system with two Mistral 3 surface-to-air
missiles, along with a 76 mm gun and possibly two 20 mm Narwhal cannons.

France’s Naval Group will supply the combat management system (POLARIS).

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