The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of border security equipment to Tunisia, estimated at $95 million, as part of a security cooperation program.
According to a statement released Monday by the State Department, the sale of equipment to Tunisia falls under Phase III of the U.S. project to strengthen Tunisian border security.
The U.S. administration specifies that the notification has been sent to Congress, in accordance with the procedures governing military equipment exports.
No delivery schedule has been announced at this stage, as the transaction remains subject to standard regulatory steps.
U.S. authorities indicate that this sale aims to strengthen Tunisia’s operational capabilities in border surveillance and control.
The statement emphasises that “the proposed sale will enhance Tunisia’s long-term defense capabilities to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to meet its national defense needs.”
The equipment in question was not fully detailed in the official statement.
The main contractors identified are L3Harris Technologies, based in Florida, and Toyota Motor Corporation, mentioned in the press release without further details about its location.
These two entities are reportedly responsible for supplying the systems and equipment related
to this operation, according to information released by Washington.
No financial details, broken down by company, were provided.
Regionally, this announcement is consistent with US programs supporting border control capabilities in North Africa, amid challenges related to cross-border mobility and the fight against trafficking.
Tunisia, a US ally in the region, has benefited for several years from technical and military cooperation mechanisms, the modalities of which vary depending on the program.
More broadly, this approval comes within the framework of strengthening defense relations between Tunis and Washington, centered on training, equipment, and surveillance systems.
No further comments have been made by the Tunisian authorities following the announcement.
MK/AK/Sf/fss/as/APA
