On November 20, the U.S. Government donated two patrol ships to the Senegalese navy as part of our ongoing partnership with Senegal to combat drug trafficking and promote border security.
The 38-foot Metal Shark patrol crafts will be used to help secure Senegal’s borders. Donated through the United States Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) Counter-Narcotics Division, the Defender Class patrol crafts are anticipated to be deployed as river patrollers to provide border security.
In a handover ceremony with the Senegalese Navy, Ambassador James Zumwalt called it a turning point in our history of security cooperation. “We share with Senegal the same strategic need to stop illicit activity on the Senegal River and provide maritime security for the Senegalese people. In an increasingly interconnected, global world, we must work together to face all threats – both local and international.”
For the last two weeks, U.S. experts have been training closely with Senegalese sailors on these patrol crafts.
