The United States put two 34-meter patrol stars on Wednesday on Wednesday at Tunisia, during an official visit to Tunis of the USS Mount Whitney command vessel, a flagship of the sixth American fleet, the US military said in a statement published by the US Naval Forces Europe.
The two Island Class boats were integrated into the Tunisian Navy after a commissioning ceremony organized in the presence of military officials from the two countries.
This transfer is part of the strategic partnership between Tunisia and the United States, aimed at strengthening Tunisian maritime surveillance and regional security capacities.
The visit of the USS Mount Whitney comes as Washington and Tunis mark the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Derna (1805), the founding episode of maritime relations between the two countries.
“The presence of the ship in Tunis underlines our commitment to regional stability,” said the United States ambassador to Tunisia, Joey Hood.
A reception was organized aboard the American building, in the presence of Tunisian diplomats, soldiers and civilian officials.
Classified “major ally outside NATO” by Washington, Tunisia has benefited for several years from American support for training, equipment and the fight against terrorism.
The USS Mount Whitney, based in Gaeta (Italy), is used for the coordination of navy naval operations in the Mediterranean and on the African continent.
According to vice-admiral JT Anderson, commander of the sixth fleet, “solid partnerships are essential to maritime security”.
