The arrival of the French amphibious helicopter carrier Mistral in Dakar from 2 to 6 October 2026 is more than a routine port call. For five days, French and Senegalese military personnel will conduct joint operational activities on land and at sea, alongside expertise-sharing sessions. The visit comes just over a year after French forces stationed in Senegal withdrew.

Five days of joint operations on land and at sea

The Mistral is one of the flagship vessels of the French Navy. It is an amphibious ship capable of transporting helicopters, troops and vehicles, and is built for operations that combine land, air and maritime capabilities. Its stopover at the port of Dakar falls under the framework of cooperation activities between the armed forces of both countries.

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

The exercises will not be confined to the capital. Units from both armies are set to carry out joint movements between Dakar and the Mont-Rolland training centre in the Thiès region. This site, used for troop formation and training, will host part of the land-based activities planned during the stopover.

A naval exercise off the Senegalese coast

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

The stopover also includes an academic dimension. The programme features 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 how their counterparts work.

It is worth recalling that since the handover of the last French military facilities to the Senegalese state in July 2025, France no longer has a permanent base in the country. Military cooperation between the two nations 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.