Two African warships are set to share the spotlight with the world's strongest navy

In light of the United States’ 250th anniversary, representatives from several African countries are poised to take part in the historic event.

• The United States' 250th anniversary will feature the International Naval Review 250, the largest US naval review with over 100 vessels and 16,000 service members.
• Navies from several African nations will participate, with Morocco's RMNS Mohammed VI and Senegal's Niani making the transatlantic crossing to New York.
• Morocco's ship, the RMNS Mohammed VI, is a highly capable FREMM-class frigate, reflecting the country's longstanding treaty relationship with the US.
• Senegal's Niani is an advanced offshore patrol vessel, demonstrating its ability to operate internationally and the professionalism of its crew.

The U.S.’s 4th of July celebration, marking its 250th year since gaining independence, is slated to feature a multinational maritime event attended by navies from across the globe, including two African nations.

The event, dubbed the International Naval Review(INR) 250, hosted by the United States Navy (USN), would stand as the seventh and largest naval review in US history.

The event brings together more than 100 vessels, over 30 tall ships, and approximately 16,000 service members from across the globe within the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Of these navies, two African vessels from Morocco and Senegal have chosen to participate more directly.

The vessels participating in the Atlantic crossing include Morocco’s RMNS Mohammed VI and Senegal’s Niani.

“Our African partners’ participation in the International Naval Review 250 reflects the enduring relationships built through years of professional exchange, shared training and cooperation at sea,” Admiral George Wikoff, commander of US Naval Forces Africa, said.

Morocco, which currently boasts the longest unbroken treaty relationship in US history, dating back to the Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1786, possesses a ship that is 142 metres and 6 000 tonnes, the RMNS Mohammed VI.

As seen on DefenceWeb, the ship is one of the largest and most capable frigates in service with an African navy today.

It is a Franco-Italian multipurpose, or FREMM (Frégate Européenne Multi-Mission), class frigate that was built by the French maritime defence industrial giant Naval Group (then DCNS), and commissioned in 2014.

The vessel features a comprehensive armament configuration, which includes one Oto Melara 3 in (76 mm) gun capable of discharging 120 rounds per minute at a range of 16 km, 16 MBDA Aster 15 vertical-launch surface-to-air missiles, Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles, and six 324 mm torpedo tubes.

Navy ship from Senegal

The French shipyard Piriou has constructed three Walo-class (OPV 58 S) offshore patrol vessels, the second of which is the Niani.

While their primary mandates include fisheries protection, sovereignty patrols, and maritime surveillance within the nation's exclusive economic zone, the Walo-class warships are considered to be among the most capable vessels of their type in service with an African navy, owing to their robust armament configuration.

The Niani measures 62.2 meters in length, displaces approximately 600 tons, achieves a maximum speed of 21 knots, and possesses an operational range of 4,500 nautical miles at a speed of 12 knots.

The vessels feature a comprehensive armament suite consisting of four MBDA Marte Mk 2N anti-ship missiles and the MBDA SIMBAD-RC air defense system equipped with two Mistral 3 surface-to-air missiles, supplemented by a 76 mm gun, two 20 mm cannons, and two 12.7 mm machine guns.

“Participation in International Naval Review 250 marks a significant milestone for OPV Niani, showcasing the ship’s ability to operate far beyond national waters and the professionalism of its crew,” Commander Youssouph Ly, Senegalese liaison officer in the Allies and Partners Coordination Centre, said.

DON'T MISS THIS: Top 10 African countries with the strongest merchant marine fleet in 2026

Other African countries, including Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Kenya, are also expected to attend, albeit not as directly as Morocco and Senegal.

Senior naval and government officials will represent Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon, while government representatives from Equatorial Guinea and Kenya are also anticipated to attend.