The French amphibious helicopter carrier Mistral is in Dakar from 2 to 6 October 2026. Its presence is no courtesy call: for five days, French and Senegalese military personnel will conduct joint operational activities on land and at sea, as well as expertise exchanges. This port call comes just over a year after the departure of French forces stationed in Senegal.

What the five-day visit means for local communities and defence ties

The Mistral is one of the flagship vessels of the French Navy. This amphibious ship can carry helicopters, troops and vehicles, and is designed for operations combining land, air and sea assets. Its port call in Dakar falls within the framework of cooperation activities between the armed forces of the two countries.

During its stay, French and Senegalese military personnel will take part in several operational activities and expertise exchange sessions. A large part of the programme focuses on land tactics.

The exercises will not be limited to the capital. Units from both armies are to make joint movements between Dakar and the Mont-Rolland training centre, in the Thiès region. This site, used for troop training and instruction, will host part of the land activities planned during the port call.

Maritime drill off the Senegalese coast

The maritime component also plays an important role. A naval exercise is planned to maintain the two navies’ joint coordination and intervention capabilities at sea. This type of manoeuvre tests crews’ ability to act together in an area where coastal surveillance, the fight against trafficking and navigation security remain major challenges.

The port call also includes an academic component. The programme provides for meetings and cohesion activities with the Armed Forces Health Service, the Higher War School and the Staff College. Reciprocal visits to operational centres are also planned, allowing officers from both countries to discover their counterparts’ working methods.

As a reminder, since the handover of the last French military bases to the Senegalese state in July 2025, France no longer has a permanent base in the country. Military cooperation between the two countries continues, however, in the form of occasional activities such as this one: joint exercises, training and expertise exchanges, conducted within a relationship that Senegalese authorities now want to be more balanced.