On April 17, 2025, the Tunisian Navy held a commissioning ceremony for two 110-foot (34-meter) Island-class patrol boats at the naval base in La Goulette, near Tunis.
These vessels, donated by the United States, were originally part of the U.S. Coast Guard fleet and have been refurbished and modernized prior to their transfer. The event coincided with a port visit by the USS Mount Whitney, the flagship of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, highlighting the robust maritime cooperation between the U.S. and Tunisia.
These Island-class patrol boats are equipped with twin diesel engines, allowing them to achieve speeds of up to 29.5 knots and operate over a range exceeding 3,000 nautical miles. They are armed with a 25mm Mk 38 machine gun and two .50 caliber machine guns, and feature advanced radar and navigation systems. This equipment enhances Tunisia’s ability to conduct maritime patrols, secure its borders, combat smuggling, and perform search and rescue operations.
Given Tunisia’s strategic position along the Mediterranean, the boats are poised to play a vital role in controlling illicit trafficking, protecting economic exclusive zones, and strengthening coastal surveillance.
The donation of these patrol boats is part of a broader U.S. military assistance program to Tunisia, which has included equipment, training, and logistical support over the years. The U.S. has previously provided Tunisia with assets like UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and C-130 transport aircraft to bolster its defenses against traditional and emerging threats. Tunisia’s proximity to conflict zones in North Africa underscores the importance of this support.
Vice Admiral J.T. Anderson, Commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, commended the commissioning as a reflection of deepening U.S.-Tunisian naval ties, emphasizing that maritime partnerships are essential for regional security and affirming U.S. commitment to Tunisia’s defense modernization.
For decades, the U.S. Navy has collaborated with African nations to equip and train their forces to safeguard territorial waters against illegal fishing, piracy, and trafficking, as part of wider efforts to promote stability and counter terrorism across the continent.
In Tunisia’s case, this includes the delivery of four Textron C-208EX aircraft to the Tunisian Air Force in September 2024 for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, alongside at least six C-130 aircraft provided earlier, according to U.S. Africa Command. Since 2011, the U.S. has invested over $1 billion in security cooperation with Tunisia, including more than $160 million in 2023, as reported by the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia.
This assistance has empowered Tunisia to contribute to United Nations peacekeeping operations, undertake humanitarian missions, and establish itself as a regional security hub.
