Tunisia has received two 34-metre 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, organised crime and terrorism threats.
The boats, named Tazarka and Menzel Bourguiba, were previously part of the US Coast Guard fleet. They were refurbished and modernized before being transferred to Tunisia.
Each patrol boat is powered by two diesel engines enabling speeds of up to 30 knots and a range of 3 380 nautical miles at 8 knots. Their high-strength steel hulls, combined with aluminium superstructures, accommodate a crew of two officers and fourteen enlisted sailors. As for armament, they are equipped with a 25 mm Mk-38 cannon and two .50 calibre machine guns, providing basic defensive capability suitable for patrol duties.
The Tunisian defence ministry said in a statement that the patrol boats will contribute to the protection of maritime borders, where various risks and threats such as smuggling, organized crime, irregular migration, and terrorism loom.
In November 2024, the US 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.
In September 2024, Tunisia improved its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities by acquiring four Textron Aviation C-208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft from the US These planes are configured for intelligence missions, with night vision capabilities and other sophisticated surveillance equipment. The $54 million deal had a comprehensive support package with spare parts, flight training, technical drawings, logistics support and ground support equipment.
TunisianMonitorOnline (NejiMed)
