On September 22, 2026, Tunisia's Minister of National Defence, Khalid Sehili, inaugurated the first conference organised by the Military Research Centre on "Technological Development and Defence Manufacturing for National Security Enhancement". The event took place at the National Centre for Cartography and Remote Sensing. Minister Sehili emphasised that Tunisia's current phase requires mobilisation of all human, material, intellectual, and technological resources.
Minister Sehili highlighted the significance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in supporting scientific research, technological development, and openness to national research institutions and technological hubs. This partnership aims to establish a national strategy for military manufacturing, reducing reliance on complete imports of military equipment and promoting local production.
The Minister noted that Tunisian institutions have demonstrated their capabilities in design, development, manufacturing, and integration, achieving advanced levels of quality and specialisation. These capacities can be utilised in defence-related sectors when the necessary technical, institutional, and security conditions are met.
Minister Sehili expressed the military's aspiration to move beyond individual projects and build a sustainable national defence industry based on technological accumulation and strategic partnerships between the military, universities, research centres, and the national industrial fabric.
The conference, attended by officials from national industrial institutions, Tunisian experts, and military and civilian personnel, addresses the characteristics of Tunisia's current phase. This phase requires mobilisation of resources and combined efforts from public and private institutions to ensure a successful economic transition and boost the national economy.
During the conference, Minister Sehili engaged with participants, including industrialists, and visited an exhibition showcasing samples of industrial products and technological renewal projects from national industrial institutions.
The event aligns with Tunisia's goals to support economic transition, diversify the national economy, and rely on self-capacity. Key stakeholders are working together to achieve these objectives and enhance national security through technological development and defence manufacturing.
Key points
- Tunisia's Defence Minister emphasises the importance of public-private partnerships in supporting research and technological development.
- The conference aims to establish a national strategy for military manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.
- Tunisian institutions have demonstrated capabilities in design, development, and manufacturing, which can be utilised in defence-related sectors.
