The Royal Moroccan Navy frigate RMNS Mohammed VI and the Senegalese Navy offshore patrol vessel Niani have officially arrived in New York waters to participate in the historic International Naval Review 250. Held from 3 to 8 July 2026 in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, the high-profile maritime gathering features a distinct and highly visible combat-capable presence from African nations. The deployment of these hulls highlights the expanding operational readiness of African navies, showcasing a broad spectrum of modern naval architecture ranging from sustainable blue-water projection to agile coastal interdiction.
The U.S. Sixth Fleet confirmed Morocco and Senegal as the primary African hull contributors to the review, with an additional five African nations sending naval or national defence delegations to the international summit. The contrasting designs of the two deployed African vessels provide a clear illustration of how regional maritime forces are structuring their fleets to meet diverse tactical requirements, balancing traditional national defence with localized economic zone security.
The flagship of the African contingent, RMNS Mohammed VI, represents the upper tier of African maritime combat capability. Built by the French shipbuilder DCNS in Lorient and delivered to the Kingdom of Morocco in early 2014, the vessel is a French FREMM design heavily optimized for advanced anti-submarine warfare. Featuring a length of 142 metres, a beam of 20 metres and a displacement of approximately 6,000 tonnes, the frigate is built for sustained oceanic endurance. With a maximum speed of 27 knots and a cruising range of 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots, the ship routinely operates far beyond standard coastal boundaries, maintaining a persistent presence across the strategic Strait of Gibraltar, the eastern Atlantic approaches and NATO-adjacent maritime zones.
The frigate’s main armament delivers a multi-layered defensive and offensive punch, starting with 16 MBDA Aster 15 surface-to-air missiles housed in Sylver A43 vertical launch cells. Utilizing an active RF seeker with 360-degree engagement capability, this system provides localized air defence and self-protection against incoming aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and subsonic or supersonic missile threats. For surface warfare, the vessel carries eight MBDA Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles that operate at low-altitude attack profiles with 3D waypoint planning to provide a potent sea-denial capability. Additionally, the ship features a Leonardo 76/62 Super Rapid naval gun, 20mm Narwhal remotely operated weapon stations and MU90 lightweight torpedoes to counter subsurface threats.
Operating alongside the massive Moroccan frigate, Senegal’s offshore patrol vessel Niani introduces a highly specialized approach to littoral and regional maritime security. Built to enforce sovereign rights within Senegal’s exclusive economic zone, the missile-armed patrol vessel is engineered for rapid maritime interdiction, counter-piracy operations and localized sea denial. The Niani features a high-performance Leonardo 76/62 Super Rapid naval gun as its primary artillery system. Capable of a selectable rate of fire up to 120 rounds per minute and a maximum range of 16,000 metres with standard ammunition, the gun gives the Senegalese Navy a flexible tool for patrol escalation. It allows the crew to deliver measured warning fire, execute disabling shots against non-compliant vessels or defend against fast-attack small craft in environments where deploying guided missiles would be operationally or politically disproportionate. Together, these two vessels underscore the sophistication and varied roles of modern African naval forces participating on the global stage.
