The signs of a growing naval partnership between Tanzania and the United States were all over Tanga, the East African country’s second-largest seaport and a core location for maritime security operations in the region.
While Cutlass Express 2026, a multilateral maritime security training exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command, was taking place off the coast of northern Tanzania and across the western Indian Ocean in February, the two countries further cemented their bond when Chargé d’Affaires Andrew Lentz of the U.S. Embassy handed over a new naval vessel maintenance facility in Tanga.
Commander of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) Navy Rear Adm. Amiri Ramadhan Hassan smiled as he toured the U.S.-funded building during the February 6 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“This facility represents our shared vision for a secure and prosperous future,” Lentz said at the gathering. “By investing in Tanzania’s maritime capabilities, we are strengthening the bonds of trust and cooperation that make both our nations safer and more prosperous.”
The facility will bolster the TPDF’s ability to sustain its fleet while combating piracy; smuggling; illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; and other maritime security concerns.
“This investment demonstrates U.S. confidence in the leadership and technical capacity of the TPDF and highlights the importance of strong, capable partners for regional security,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.
“Maritime security is vital to the safety and economic well-being of both nations. The new facility will strengthen coastal and port security along Tanzania’s northern coastline, support counter-illicit trafficking and maritime law enforcement, and contribute to greater maritime domain awareness in the Western Indian Ocean.”
The facility includes dedicated workshops, offices and service bays, and is designed to extend the lifespan of the TPDF’s naval fleet, as regular dry-docking and maintenance of engines, hulls and instruments are critical to any vessel’s operational capacity.
The western Indian Ocean connects Africa to the Middle East and Asia and is one of the world’s busiest trade corridors. With improved preparedness and response speed, the TPDF Navy is able to more effectively enforce maritime law and support its blue economy.
The facility handover coincided with Exercise Cutlass Express, a joint military exchange in Tanga and across the western Indian Ocean. The exercise brought together naval forces from East Africa to improve coordination in countertrafficking and maritime law enforcement.
During the exercise’s closing ceremony, TPDF Chief of Training and Combat Readiness Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Mhona focused on how regional partners are improving interoperability. He emphasized Tanzania’s role as a key regional maritime security partner and praised his country’s ongoing collaboration with the U.S. Navy.
“This exercise was designed to involve multiple nations because the challenges we face in Africa are the same as those encountered in other parts of the world,” he said, according to The Citizen newspaper.
“When we talk about terrorism, human trafficking and cybercrime, these are global issues. Since we share similar challenges, it is imperative that we tackle them together. However, effective collaboration is only possible if we train together. Interoperability is a fundamental aspect of our preparedness.”