New Navy: Tunisia

The Tunisian Navy today was established in 1959, as the “Marine nationale tunisienne” initially with French assistance, advisory personnel and patrol vessels. On 22 October 1973 she received a transfer from the USN, the destroyer USS Thomas J. Gary (DE-326) based in Bizerte as Pdt. Bourguiba (discarded 1992). By the mid-1980s two ex-US coastal minesweepers, and fast-attack and patrol craft were acquired with the most important acquisitions being three La Combattante III type missile FAC (with Exocet). Its early tasks were to combat contraband smuggling, illegal immigration, unauthorized emigration, plus the usual coastal security activities and fishery protection. This became a joint effort with the Ministry of Interior, customs agents and immigration personnel with Bases in Bizerte, Kelibia, La Goulette, and Sfax…

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