The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Tunisia of 65 ft (19.8 m) SAFE Archangel boats and related elements of logistics and program support, the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) announced on 20 August 2024).
The proposed sale, which is worth an estimated USD 110 million (EUR 98.4 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval. The principal contractor is SAFE Boats International, located in Bremerton, Washington.
Tunisia has requested to buy additional non-Major Defense Equipment (MDE) 65’ SAFE Archangel boats and additional non-MDE articles and services that will be added to a previously implemented case. The original FMS case, valued at USD 49.3 million, included non-MDE 65’ SAFE Archangel boats and non-MDE articles and services, consisting of commercial-variant marine global positioning systems; navigation systems; communications equipment; training; and other related elements of logistical and programme support.
“The proposed sale will better equip Tunisia to contribute to shared security objectives, promote regional stability, and build interoperability with the United States and Western partners,” the DSCA stated. “The Tunisian Navy uses the 65’ SAFE boats for search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and other maritime-related operations to ensure security in the country and region. The boats will build on Tunisia’s existing military capability.”
The Tunisian Navy already operates around two dozen patrol craft sourced from SAFE Boats International that vary in length from 25 to 65 ft.
