Piriou Shipyard press release – Translated by Naval News
The launch of the ‘NIANI’, the second offshore patrol vessel destined for the Senegalese Navy, took place yesterday (13 September 2022) afternoon in Concarneau (29). This stage marks a significant step in the progress of the programme for the supply of three offshore patrol vessels.
The launch of the ‘NIANI’, the second offshore patrol vessel destined for the Senegalese Navy, took place yesterday afternoon in Concarneau (29). This stage marks a significant step in the progress of the programme for the supply of three offshore patrol vessels.
Built with the support and expertise of its partner company KERSHIP, the programme of construction of these three patrol vessels is spread over a period of 44 months, until summer 2024. It also includes a support period lasting several years in Senegal.
“It is an important event for this boat but also more broadly for the OPV58S programme! Thanks to the motivation of the PIRIOU and KERSHIP personnel and the continuous working partnership with the representatives of the Senegalese Naval Staff, we are progressing according to schedule.”
Vincent Faujour, Chairman of the PIRIOU Group
OPV 58 S: 62m Offshore Patrol Vessel
The OPV 58 S (Offshore Patrol Vessel) is a robust 62 m patrol vessel with outstanding versatility and high endurance. The OPV 58 S is dedicated to missions such as surveillance, identification and intervention, and fulfils the entire range of missions related to law enforcement. In addition to her deployment ability -intervention RHIBs- she possesses a first rank deterrence capacity thanks to her anti-surface and anti-aircraft weapon systems.
Among the ship’s major innovations and capabilities are:
- A very versatile design to adapt various missions
- A large panoramic bridge with 360° visibility
- A fast launching and recovery system for 2 RHIBs on the stern ramp
- A C-Sharp hull form optimized autonomy and seakeeping
- A high-performance monitoring and combat system
These OPVs will be equipped with MARTE MK2/N anti-ship missiles. With the ability to strike at ranges in excess of 30 kilometres and their fire-and-forget capability, these missiles will provide the means for the Senegalese Navy to enforce their maritime superiority. The vessels will also benefit from the SIMBAD-RC system and its MISTRAL missiles- this combination provides an extremely effective defence capability against all threats including anti-ship missiles, combat aircraft, UAVs, helicopters, as well as small surface threats such as those presented by FIACs. These missiles and missile systems are designed and produced by MBDA.
Characteristics:
- Total length: 62.20m
- Width: 9.5m
- Draft: ~3m
- Speed: 21 knots
- Endurance: 21 days
- Range: 4500 nautical miles in 12 knots speed
- Accommodation: 48 (24 crew + 24 mission personnel)
- Stern ramp for two RHIBs
- Container capacity 2 x 20′
– End –
The rise of Senegal’s Naval Forces
Faced with an ever-growing piracy threat in the Gulf of Guinea, Senegal (like other countries in the area such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana or Nigeria) is pursuing efforts to boost its naval capabilities. In addition to these three OPVs, Senegal is also procuring Shaldag MK II Fast Patrol Craft and two OPVs from Israel.
Other modern units include a large OPV procured from French shipyard OCEA, the Fouladou, commissioned in 2016 and two smaller patrol vessels (by Raidco Marine) procured in 2015 and 2013. Senegal is also procuring Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The OPV 58 S produced by Piriou will be fitted with missile systems which will be a new capability for this rising navy.
The modern naval vessels recently procured from France and Israel will help the Senegalese Navy in securing the sea lanes and maritime approaches in Senegal’s littoral and exclusive economic zones. They are the right assets to counter piracy and illegal fishing and conduct maritime security missions in the Gulf of Guinea.
