In his continuing round of calls on African countries and regions since taking command of Africom in August, General Dagvin Anderson was in Tunisia for four days earlier this month (November).
His agenda and itinerary saw the USAF (United States Air Force) qualified pilot with 3 4 00 hours in his log book meet with Tunisian partners for discussions and demonstrations on US engagements with the North African country. The focus was on the advancement of the Tunisian military’s operational capacity and its contribution to regional security.
Post meeting the Tunisian Defence Minister, Khaled Shili, Anderson and his entourage had further leadership discussions on priorities related to readiness, modernisation, counter-terrorism and co-operation between Africom and the Tunisian Air Force as well as its army, navy, and explosive ordnance disposal units.
While in Tunis, the Africom delegation met the new US ambassador to Tunisia, Bill Bazzi and senior embassy personnel to talk bilateral programmes and support for Tunisia’s continued development as a regional security contributor. Discussions focused on sustaining momentum in joint training, exercises and military-to-military co-operation.
Across each engagement, Africom leaders reaffirmed the US’ commitment to providing limited, targeted support to its Tunisian partners in pursuit of shared security objectives and countering terrorist influence.
“Africa,” an Africom statement has it, “remains a theatre the US cannot shift its focus on. It’s an evolving and diverse one with security efforts that transcend African borders to support European and global security and stability – including the US homeland”.
Before departing Tunis, the Africom delegation along with Bazzi, paid homage to American military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II at the North Africa American Cemetery (NAAC).
The depth of US/Tunisian defence relations could be seen in the recent delivery of 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.
In a statement during delivery earlier this year, Khaled Shili, Tunisia’s Minister of National Defence, 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 US to further develop operational capabilities and exchange military expertise.
Officials commissioned the boats on 17 April, the same day the USS Mount Whitney visited La Goulette, home to Tunisia’s main naval base. The date also marked the anniversary of the 1805 Battle of Derna during the First Barbary War, when US Marines and Tunisian troops scored a decisive victory over the Barbary pirates.
Tunisia also is expected to buy an undisclosed number of 20-metre Archangel patrol boats from the US 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.
Since 2011, the US has invested over $1 billion in security cooperation with Tunisia. 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 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.
