The U.S. government celebrated the transfer of 48 Armored HMMWVs to the Tunisian Army in a ceremony at El Aouina Military Base in Tunis earlier this month.
U.S. Ambassador Bill Bazzi joined high-ranking Tunisian and American military and civilian officials at the event, the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia said in a statement.
The delivery of these vehicles continues the U.S. government’s commitment to expanding the Tunisian Army’s capabilities and furthering the prosperity of the United States defense economic sector. The additional vehicles will strengthen Tunisia’s ability to conduct joint and combined exercises, security operations, and rapid response missions across the region.
The United States has partnered with Tunisia, a strategic partner and major non-NATO ally, for more than four decades in operations, training, and sustainment. This delivery represents another milestone in expanding cooperation between the U.S. and Tunisian Armed Forces.
“Security cooperation is a cornerstone of the U.S.-Tunisian 229 year-diplomatic relationship, and today’s transfer of 48 Armored HMMWVs to the Tunisian Army exemplifies the strength of our partnership,” said Ambassador Bazzi.
“Enhancing Tunisia’s armored capacity expands our shared ability to support regional stability, cooperative security efforts, and humanitarian assistance,” he added.
Tunisia’s Ministry of National Defense issued a statement indicating that these vehicles will enhance the army’s capacity in border protection, counter-terrorism, anti-smuggling, and organized crime operations.
This recent delivery supplements a previous batch made in 2015, which included 52 HMMWVs and a 65-foot patrol boat.
Produced by AM General, the HMMWV has been an integral component of U.S. and allied light tactical fleets since the 1980s.
This transfer of Humvees is part of a broader modernization effort. On 13 January 2026, Tunisia received an additional C-130H Hercules transport aircraft from U.S. military inventories, enhancing the airlift capacity necessary for swiftly moving personnel and equipment to forward positions.
Furthermore, on 27 April 2026, the U.S. Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Tunisia to buy equipment in support of its Border Security Project Phase III for a total estimated cost of $95 million. The principal contractors will be L3 Harris, located in Melbourne, Florida; and Toyota, located in Plano, Texas.
Lastly, in April 2026, Tunisia hosted Exercise African Lion, a multilateral training exercise involving Tunisian, U.S., French, and Italian forces engaging in counter-terrorism drills, command post exercises, and academic symposiums. The U.S. contingent employed a Total Force approach, integrating active-duty soldiers with National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force, and Marine Corps personnel. (Sources: U.S. Embassy in Tunisia; Tunisia’s Ministry of National Defense; U.S. Department of State; Photo © Tunisia’s Ministry of National Defense)
