Tunisia has received two 34-meter, Island-class patrol boats from the United States government to increase the country’s ability to secure its 1,148-kilometer coastline, which faces smuggling, organized crime and terrorism threats.
The boats, named Tazarka and Menzel Bourguiba, were previously part of the U.S. Coast Guard fleet. They were refurbished and modernized before being transferred to Tunisia. According to Military Africa, the boats can reach speeds of 29.5 knots and have an operating range of more than 3,000 nautical miles. They have a 25-millimeter Mk 38 machine gun, two .50 caliber machine guns, and feature advanced radar and navigation systems. The vessels feature dual 1,600-horsepower diesel engines, shock-absorbing seating and climate control. They house a crew of 16 and can be at sea up to five days without resupply.
In a statement, Khaled Shili, Tunisia’s Minister of National Defense, praised the depth of historical relations between the two countries, their longtime strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation. He said Tunisia is ready to advance bilateral cooperation with the U.S. to further develop operational capabilities and exchange military expertise.
Officials commissioned the boats on April 17, the same day the USS Mount Whitney visited La Goulette, home to Tunisia’s main naval base.
Tunisia also is expected to buy an undisclosed number of 20-meter Archangel patrol boats from the U.S. at an estimated total cost of $110 million. The purchase will include training, GPS, navigation and communications systems. The boats are intended for use near shore and in inland waterways. Analysts told Breaking Defense that such boats are particularly useful for anti-smuggling and light security patrols.
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.
Since 2011, the U.S. has invested over $1 billion in security cooperation with Tunisia.
Other Recent Deliveries
In November 2024, the U.S. delivered a C-130H2 Hercules aircraft valued at 36 million Tunisian dinars ($12 million) to the Tunisian Air Force, which is in the midst of a major modernization effort for its fleet of transport aircraft. The C-130 is a four-engine turboprop military transport plane that first was produced in the U.S. in 1955. Updated versions still are being made. It was designed to airlift troops over medium distances and land on short, basic airfields. It is the largest plane ever to land on an aircraft carrier.
In September 2024, Tunisia improved its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities by acquiring four Textron Aviation C-208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft from the U.S. These planes are configured for intelligence missions, with night vision capabilities and other sophisticated surveillance equipment. Although unarmed, these aircraft are designed to provide critical real-time data and intelligence, improving Tunisia’s ability to monitor and respond to threats. The $54 million deal had a comprehensive support package with spare parts, flight training, technical drawings, logistics support and ground support equipment.