United States delivers advanced reconnaissance aircraft to Tunisian Air Force

On September 9, the U.S. Government donated four Textron C-208EX aircraft to the Tunisian Air Force during a ceremony at Al Aouina Air Base in Tunis.
The event was attended by high-ranking officials from both countries, including Tunisian Minister of Defense Khaled Sehili, U.S. Ambassador Joey Hood, Chief of Staff of the Tunisian Air Force General Mohammed Hajem, and Brigadier General Ricky Mills, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the U.S. Air Force.
The four aircraft, valued at 165 million Tunisian dinars ($54 million), come with long-term training and maintenance, significantly boosting the Tunisian Air Force’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. These versatile aircraft will support various missions such as border security, counter-terrorism, and disaster response.
Ambassador Hood emphasized that the donation reflects the U.S. Government’s commitment to enhancing Tunisia’s air force capabilities and underscores the strong strategic partnership between the two nations. He stated, “This investment highlights our mutual commitment to promoting regional security and stability.”
The U.S. and Tunisia have maintained strong diplomatic relations for over 200 years. Since 2011, the U.S. has invested more than $1 billion in security cooperation with Tunisia, including over $160 million in 2023 alone.