Tanzania, US and allies strengthen ties in Cutlass Express 2025

Dar es Salaam. The Cutlass Express 2025 joint military training exercises have played a crucial role in enhancing efforts to combat human trafficking, illegal fishing, smuggling, and piracy, while also promoting the blue economy in Tanzania.

The drills, which involved 15 nations, concluded today, February 21, at Lugalo Golf Club in Kawe Dar es Salaam.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, the Chief of Training and Combat Readiness for the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), Major General Ibrahim Mhona, said the exercises are important in fostering cooperation to address global security challenges.

“This exercise was designed to involve multiple nations because the challenges we face in Africa are the same as those encountered in other parts of the world, including Europe,” he said.

“When we talk about terrorism, human trafficking, and cybercrime, these are global issues. Since we share similar challenges, it is imperative that we tackle them together. However, effective collaboration is only possible if we train together. Interoperability is a fundamental aspect of our preparedness,” he added.

Major General Mhona hailed the success of the exercise and expressed gratitude to the US military and all participating nations for their commitment.

Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Tanzania, Andrew Lentz, said the US and Tanzania have a long-standing partnership in addressing mutual security concerns.

He noted that Cutlass Express 2025 was a reflection of this collaboration.

“Under the leadership of Tanzania and the US, more than 15 nations came together to promote international maritime law, safeguard shipping lanes and promote economic opportunity, particularly in the blue economy,” he said.

Mr Lentz further described the partnership with Tanzania as mutually beneficial, saying the US is committed to strengthening cooperation through Africom and Navy Africa.

On the other hand, Lieutenant General, John Brennan, Deputy Commander of the US Africa Command (Africom), said Tanzania is strategically significant in East Africa and beyond.

“Tanzania is one of our strategic partners not only in East Africa but across the entire content, one of our most valued partnerships, they hosted two exercises simultaneously, Justified Accord and Cutlass Express.

Rear Admiral David Ludwa, representing US Naval Forces Europe and Africa as well as the US Sixth Fleet, highlighted advancements in maritime operations achieved during the exercise.

“We have continued to develop our maritime operations centres by expanding partnerships and integrating various capabilities. This time, we successfully established direct communication between our P-8 aircraft and operations centres,” he explained.

He further added that, “We also enhanced visit, board, search, and seizure operations, ensuring we can follow through on legal enforcement against illicit activities, including trafficking, smuggling, piracy, and illegal fishing. This exercise was a success in building on these capabilities for future operations,” he added.

Cutlass Express is an annual maritime security exercise designed to improve regional cooperation and coordination in combating maritime threats while enhancing legal and operational frameworks for law enforcement across the participating nations.