On April 17, 2025, the Tunisian Navy proudly held the official commissioning ceremony of two 34-meter Island-class patrol boats donated by the United States. The ceremony, held at the strategically important La Goulette naval base near the capital Tunis, was further highlighted by the presence of the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 6), the flagship of the US 20th Fleet, which visited the port on the same day. This meaningful event clearly demonstrated the deep-rooted maritime cooperation between the two countries and the unwavering US commitment to enhancing Tunisia’s maritime security.
Modernization Process and Technical Specifications
According to detailed news from Army Recognition, these patrol boats, which have joined the Tunisian Navy’s inventory, were previously platforms used by the US Coast Guard. However, before being delivered to Tunisia, they underwent a comprehensive modernization process to make them compatible with today’s technological requirements. Each measuring 34 meters in length, these modern warships stand out with their powerful twin diesel engines. Thanks to these engines, they can reach an impressive top speed of 29,5 knots and have a range of over 3.000 nautical miles, making them ideal for long-term naval operations.
The military systems on the ships will also significantly increase the operational capabilities of the Tunisian Navy. These systems include one 25 mm Mk 38 machine gun and two .50 caliber machine guns. In addition, being equipped with advanced radar and navigation systems, the ships maximize their situational awareness and target detection capabilities at sea. Thanks to these superior features, the Tunisian Navy is expected to perform maritime patrol duties more effectively, ensure border security, take an active role in anti-smuggling operations at sea, and achieve a significant increase in capacity in search and rescue operations.
US Long-Term Military Assistance Policy
This significant delivery is a critical part of the U.S.’ long-term, strategic military assistance policy for Tunisia. For years, the United States has provided the Tunisian Army with equipment, comprehensive training, and logistical support in a variety of areas, aiming to increase the country’s resilience to both traditional military threats and today’s complex asymmetric threats. Such defense cooperation is vital to regional security and stability, especially given Tunisia’s key strategic location in the Mediterranean and its proximity to the volatile geopolitical environment in North Africa.
Strong Maritime Partnerships for Regional Security
In his important speech following the commissioning ceremony, Vice Admiral JT Anderson, Commander of the US 6th Fleet, underlined the increasingly strong cooperation between the naval forces of the two countries. Vice Admiral Anderson emphasized that strong maritime partnerships play a vital role in ensuring regional security and stability. He also stated that such modernization steps are a concrete demonstration of the importance the US attaches to Tunisia’s defense capacity.
Historical Ties and Common Past
The ceremony also has deep historical significance. The date of the event coincides with the 1805th anniversary of the Battle of Derna, which took place in 220 and was one of the first examples of military cooperation between the United States and Tunisia. This historical coincidence reminds us once again of the centuries-old history and strong ties between the United States and Tunisia in jointly ensuring maritime security in the Mediterranean. The battle has gone down in history as one of the first significant military operations in which the United States, with the valuable support of its Tunisian allies, successfully eliminated the pirate threat in the Mediterranean.
Contribution to the Mediterranean Maritime Security Vision
US Ambassador to Tunisia Joey Hood, in his statement at the ceremony, emphasized the deep-rooted historical ties and strong strategic partnership between the two countries. Ambassador Hood stated that the addition of these modern and well-equipped ships to the Tunisian Navy inventory will not only strengthen Tunisia’s maritime security, but will also make a significant contribution to the maritime security vision of the entire Mediterranean region. This cooperation is of critical importance in ensuring regional stability and security.
