List News    News

62nd Anniversary of National Army: 2 maritime patrol boats commissioned

Published the:  25/06/2018

| Share

(TAP) - A maritime military parade was organised Monday at the commercial port of La Goulette, on the 62nd anniversary of the national army, in the presence of President Beji Caïd Essebsi.

These festivities, which coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Navy, were marked by the raising of the flag on the "Syphax 611" high-seas patrol boat and the "Kerkouane 211" patrol boat.

This parade will mark the entry into operation of these two vessels funded with resources of the National Defence Department, said Minister of National Defense, Abdelkarim Zbidi who was present at this event.

The offshore patrol boat "Syphax 611" is part of an order placed since 2016 to the Dutch company "DAMEN" for the acquisition of four vessels of the same type.

"A first ship has already been delivered. The other two will be delivered by the end of 2018, "said Zbidi.

Suitable for deep-sea navigation, these patrol boats can accommodate helicopters, conduct rescue operations and perform boarding and inspection missions for suspect vessels, he added.

As for the two patrol boats "Kerkouane" and "Utique", they were built by the Company of industrial and naval constructions (SCIN) under partnership with the Ministry of National Defense for the construction of numerous patrol boats.

These vessels were built by totally Tunisian experts after the patrol boat "Istiqlel" in 2015.

"This will save currency, employ Tunisian human resources and boost relevant activities," he underlined.

"The two boats, which are marked by their speed, their maneuverability and their ability to carry out missions to control the national coasts to fight against irregular migration and organised crime, will certainly contribute to strengthening the operational capacities of the Navy", he added.

In addition, the Minister of National Defence said the Air Force has received UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters manufactured by the United States and equipped with intelligence and inspection systems.

In 2017, the national army also took delivery of 200 medium military trucks and 200 heavy-duty trucks in addition to 30 armoured and anti-mine armoured military vehicles, he added.

Parades of military formations, simulations and white operations marked this military parade

The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, government members, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Defence, representatives of national organizations, ambassadors of the Netherlands and Romania, representatives of DAMEN and SCIN companies in addition to the members of the High Council of the Armed Forces and current and retired military officers