Piriou floats out first OPV 58S for Senegalese Navy

French shipbuilding company PIRIOU has launched the first of three offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) OPV 58S Walo built for the Navy of Senegal.

In 2019, the Ministry of Armed Forces of Senegal awarded a contract to Piriou for the construction of three offshore patrol vessels.

The launching ceremony was held on 11 April in Concarneau, Brittany.

The OPV 58 S is a 62-meter patrol vessel dedicated to missions such as surveillance and sea control. The unit is 9.5 meters wide and has a maximum draft of 2.9 meters. The OPVs have steel hulls and aluminium superstructures with a 360-degree panoramic bridge.

Besides its projection capabilities – commando fast boats – the OPVs will also be equipped with surface to air weapon systems. French company Naval Group is in charge of providing POLARIS combat management system.

The contract also includes several years of support in Senegal, with the vessels to be supported in Senegal by Piriou subsidiary Pirou Ngom Senegal