The United States has relaunched a project to create the Maritime Centre of Excellence in Bizerte, Tunisia, through the US government's public market platform. The centre, under construction, is dedicated to training marine commandos and will serve as a hub for multinational exercises. According to the US Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Sixth Fleet, the centre represents a significant investment in regional security, aiming to prepare highly qualified naval cadres and strengthen interoperability between partner countries.
The construction of the centre was awarded to Turkish company Biltek approximately two years ago, with the US Department of Defense granting the contract. The project aims to modernize the training infrastructure of the Tunisian armed forces, focusing on enhancing the operational capabilities of the Tunisian navy while fostering closer ties with the US. The centre will feature advanced facilities, including combat training areas, firing ranges, an obstacle course, and a training tower.
The Maritime Centre of Excellence will also include sports facilities, such as a gymnasium and swimming pool, as well as a port and helipad. Administrative, academic, and logistical buildings will support the centre's role as a hub for naval training in Africa. The project, estimated to take around two years to complete, has an initial budget of approximately $1.3 million, which has been increased to over $2.15 million through amendments.
The US is responsible for procurement, financing, and execution of the project, while the centre remains located on Tunisian territory under Tunisian sovereignty and military command. The centre's primary mission is to train Tunisian marine commandos and host joint exercises with international partners. It will also welcome military trainees from other African and Arab countries, positioning Tunisia as a regional leader in military training.
The project was discussed during a meeting between Tunisian Defence Minister Khaled Shili and US Sixth Fleet Commander Admiral Jeffrey Anderson in Tunis. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the "Phoenix Express 26" exercise, a multinational military training event held in Tunisia. The exercise, now in its fifth year, brings together a dozen countries from North Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the US.
The "Phoenix Express 26" exercise demonstrates Tunisia's ability to host multinational military training and highlights the country's growing cooperation with the US in maritime security. The exercise provides an opportunity for participating countries to develop their expertise and benefit from each other's experience in naval training and operations. The US has expressed its commitment to continuing and developing this cooperation, supporting Tunisia's naval capabilities to serve regional security interests.
The Maritime Centre of Excellence in Bizerte is a significant development in Tunisia's efforts to consolidate its position as an active security partner in the Mediterranean. The centre will enhance regional maritime security, promote interoperability between naval forces, and provide a platform for multinational training exercises.
Key points
- The US and Tunisia have partnered to establish a Maritime Centre of Excellence in Bizerte to enhance regional maritime security and training naval forces.
- The centre will feature advanced facilities, including combat training areas, firing ranges, and a training tower.
- The project aims to modernize the training infrastructure of the Tunisian armed forces and foster closer ties with the US.
