Tunisia is on track to buy an undisclosed number of 20-meter Archangel patrol boats from the United States at an estimated total cost of $110 million. The purchase will include GPS, navigation and communications systems, and training.
“The proposed sale will better equip Tunisia to contribute to shared security objectives, promote regional stability, and build interoperability with the United States and Western partners,” the U.S. State Department announced. It added that the Tunisian Navy uses such boats for “search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and other maritime-related operations to ensure security in the country and region.”
Tunisia bought similar Archangels in 2015. The U.S.-based SAFE Boats International vessels are equipped with dual 1,600-horsepower diesel engines, shock-absorbing seating and climate control. Their range is up to 400 nautical miles.
Because of its experience with its Archangel boats, the Tunisian Navy will easily integrate the new boats once they are approved, reports Overt Defense. The boats are intended for use near shore and in inland waterways. Analysts told Breaking Defense that such boats are particularly useful for antismuggling and light security patrols. The country has 1,148 kilometers of coastline.
Tunisia’s status as a regional maritime force began to change dramatically in 2009, when it received
$14.5 million in military financing from the U.S. for 10 small 8-meter response boats and five medium 13-meter response boats, along with spare parts, training and support. Response boats typically are used in counternarcotics operations, search and rescue, trafficking interdiction, and environmental response.