Photo copyright: Ivorian Navy
The Ivorian Navy has expanded its coastal security capabilities following the commissioning of two new patrol vessels donated by the People’s Republic of China, reinforcing the country’s efforts to improve maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The two vessels, Commander Sanogo and Captain Blamassi, officially entered service during a ceremony held on 2 July 2026 at the Headquarters of the National Navy in Abidjan. The event was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Téné Birahima Ouattara, who described the delivery as another important step in the government’s long-term programme to modernise Côte d’Ivoire’s armed forces and enhance national maritime security.
The new patrol craft were acquired through defence cooperation between Côte d’Ivoire and China, reflecting the steadily expanding strategic relationship between the two countries. During the ceremony, Minister Ouattara expressed the government’s appreciation for China’s continued support, noting that the donation contributes directly to strengthening the operational capabilities of the Ivorian Navy.
In keeping with naval tradition, the vessels were formally named by their ceremonial sponsors. Minister of National Cohesion, Solidarity and the Fight Against Poverty Belmonde Dogo served as the godmother of Commander Sanogo, while Minister of State Portfolio and Public Enterprises Mariatou Koné sponsored Captain Blamassi. The ships commemorate two distinguished Ivorian naval officers whose service made a lasting contribution to the development of the country’s naval forces.
Designed for operations in coastal and littoral waters, the vessels measure 27 metres in length and displace approximately 60 tonnes. Powered to reach speeds of up to 20 knots, they can remain at sea for around 48 hours and are operated by crews of 12 personnel. Their shallow draft enables them to patrol areas that are inaccessible to larger naval platforms, including estuaries, lagoons and river approaches.
The patrol vessels are expected to undertake a wide variety of missions supporting maritime law enforcement and national security. Their operational tasks will include surveillance of territorial waters, protection of fisheries, counter-piracy operations, combating illegal trafficking, monitoring irregular migration, and conducting search-and-rescue missions along Côte d’Ivoire’s coastline.
The commissioning represents another milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Ivorian Navy. Over the past decade, the service has steadily expanded and modernised its fleet through acquisitions from several international partners. Previous additions include French-built patrol boats, a former French Navy offshore patrol vessel, and two Israeli-built OPV-45 offshore patrol vessels, while future plans also envisage the introduction of unmanned aerial systems to strengthen maritime surveillance and domain awareness.
Although primarily intended for short-duration coastal missions rather than extended offshore deployments, the two new patrol vessels will significantly improve the Navy’s ability to maintain a continuous security presence in near-shore waters. Their arrival enhances Côte d’Ivoire’s capacity to respond rapidly to illegal fishing, piracy, smuggling, and other maritime threats affecting the Gulf of Guinea, one of Africa’s most strategically important maritime regions.
With the addition of Commander Sanogo and Captain Blamassi, the Ivorian Navy continues to build a more capable and modern force, supporting the government’s objective of safeguarding the country’s maritime interests while contributing to regional stability and security.
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