TZ, US strengthen military ties with joint maritime training
DAR ES SALAAM: IN a bid to strengthen US-Tanzania bilateral ties and military security collaboration, the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) and the US military have conducted a two-week joint maritime training aimed at enhancing maritime security and sharpening interdiction skills.
The naval-based exercise, dubbed Cutlass Express 2025, brought together Indian Ocean nations to boost maritime domain awareness and security.
The exercise, held in Dar es Salaam and Tanga, saw participation from more than 15 countries, including the US and Tanzanian forces.
Among the participating nations were Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, France, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Madagascar and Somalia.
The participating forces practiced modern boarding techniques, legal searches and the integration of the US SEAVISION maritime awareness system to enhance coordination and improve regional security efforts.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held yesterday at Lugalo Golf Club grounds in Dar es Salaam, TPDF Chief of Operations and Training, Major General Ibrahim Mahona who represented the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Jacob Mkunda, underscored the significance of interoperability in addressing global security threats.
“The most important aspect of this exercise is to ensure that we speak one language—interoperability. We are facing the same challenges worldwide, from terrorism to trafficking. To curb these problems, we must unite, train together and enhance our collective ability to respond,” he said.
Major General Mahona said that the Cutlass Express 2025 was an outstanding demonstration of international cooperation, mutual respect and a shared commitment to enhancing regional maritime security.
“This exercise has been a testament to the shared goal of fostering peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and beyond,” he said.
On his part, Deputy Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Lieutenant General John Brennan, echoed the sentiments highlighting the significance of international partnerships in enhancing maritime security.
“A total of 15 different countries participated and the fact that five different continents are represented in Cutlass Express 2025 is pretty remarkable,” he said.
He acknowledged the region’s challenges, including piracy, terrorism and illicit fishing, stressing the importance of multilateral cooperation to combat the threats. The training initiative is part of ongoing efforts to promote a safe and secure Indian Ocean maritime environment, free from criminal and unregulated activities.
