U.S. Approves Potential $110M Patrol Boat Sale to Tunisia

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to Tunisia, involving SAFE Archangel patrol boats valued at approximately $110 million.

The sale, which includes 65-foot patrol boats equipped with GPS, navigation, and communication systems, aims to enhance Tunisia’s maritime capabilities. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that the deal will support Tunisia’s efforts in search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and regional security.

Although the number of boats wasn’t specified, the sale is designed to strengthen Tunisia’s ability to address challenges such as smuggling and illegal immigration along its Mediterranean coast. The deal is part of broader U.S. efforts to support regional stability, especially as American forces scale back their presence in other parts of Africa, like Niger and Chad.

However, the sale isn’t final. Tunisia and SAFE Boats International, the Washington state-based contractor, must finalize the details, and U.S. lawmakers could still intervene.

Analysts highlight that these boats are intended for near-shore operations, crucial for intercepting smugglers and managing migrant flows from neighboring Algeria and Libya. Tunisia’s ability to control these issues is also tied to its economic agreements with the European Union, making the sale particularly significant.