Armée Tunisienne / Tunisian Armed Forces / القوات المسلحة التونسية‎

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US DoD grants contracts to Textron for Tunisian Air Force T-6C and to Lockheed Martin for Korean Air Force F-16s


Aviation Defense News July 2022 aerospace air force industry


POSTED ON FRIDAY, 01 JULY 2022 11:12

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The U.S. Department of Defense on June 30 announced several contracts, among which two concern foreign air forces: Textron Aviation Defense for Tunisian Air Force T-6C training aircraft, and Lockheed Martin for F-16 fighters.

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The latest T-6C variant will revolutionize Tunisian pilot training and will replace both the
SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 for elementary/basic training and the Aero L-39s that are now
used in the advanced training role. (Picture source: Textron)

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Textron Aviation Defense, Wichita, Kansas, has been awarded a $90,686,042, bilateral modification (PZ0011) to previously awarded FA8617-C-21-6235 for the Tunisia T-6C aircraft procurement effort. The contract modification is for the procurement of eight T-6C aircraft, spare parts, spare engines, aircraft support equipment, FSR support, Ground-Based Training System (GBTS), Operational Flight Trainer (OFT), Computer Based Training Lab (CBT), interim contractor support, personal life support equipment, country-specific technical orders, installation of GBTS, OFT, and CBT, and ferry and support as well as digitization of the FA8617-21-C-6235 undefined contract action. Work will be performed in Wichita, Kansas, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2026. This modification involves Foreign Military Sales to Tunisia. Tunisia FMS funds are being obligated at the time of the award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $105,422,012. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $69,362,018 firm-fixed-price contract for F-16 Systems Program Office support. The contractor will provide Korea Peace Bridge Upgrade, Advanced Identification Friend or Foe, and Link 16 upgrade for the Republic of Korea's F-16 partial fleet. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas; Greenville, South Carolina; Edwards Air Force Base, California; and the Republic of Korea, and is expected to be complete by Oct. 31, 2026. This award is the result of a source direction. Foreign Military Sales funds of $69,362,018 are being obligated at the time of the award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8232-22-C-0006).


US DoD grants contracts to Textron for Tunisian Air Force T-6C and to Lockheed Martin for Korean Air Force F-16s (airrecognition.com)

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US Moroccan and Tunisian paratroopers jump at African Lion 22


Defense News July 2022 Global Security army industry


POSTED ON MONDAY, 04 JULY 2022 10:05

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Paratroopers from the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Utah Army National Guard, Royal Moroccan Army and the Tunisian Land Army boarded a Moroccan C-130 in Grier Labouihi, Morocco, June 19, and conducted both military free-fall and static-line jumps. Maj. Brent Mangum reports on U.S. Army's website.

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U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Utah
Army National Guard, perform the jumpmaster safety checks required before
all the jumpers can exit the plane for a friendship airborne operation in Grier
Labouihi, Morocco, during African Lion 22, on June 19, 2022.
(Picture source: U.S. Army National Guard/Spc. Mackenzie Willden)

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The jump — as an airborne operation is known — is part of African Lion 22, U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia, June 6-30. More than 7,500 participants from 28 nations and NATO are training together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces.

African Lion 22 is a joint, all-domain, multi-component and multinational exercise, employing a full array of mission capabilities with the goal of strengthening interoperability among participants and setting the theater for strategic access.

Soldiers traveled from Agadir to the Grier Labouihi training complex. Prior to the jump, U.S. Soldiers conducted Basic Airborne Refresher and Sustained Airborne Training courses. These courses are walk-through rehearsal exercises which help jumpers remember and visualize the most important elements of safely exiting an aircraft and landing without injuries.

“I was terrified because it has been over a year since I graduated jump school and I had a hard landing on rocks, but no serious injury,” said Sgt. Andrea Mendez, a Soldier with the 19th Special Forces Group. “I’d say I did a perfect [parachute landing fall] since I have bruises in all the right places. I was surprised at how well I handled the chute since it’s different from the ones we used at jump school.”

The traditional T-10 parachute used at jump school is un-steerable, while the MC-6 parachute — used by U.S. Special Operations Command — is considered maneuverable with toggles and air vents that allow for some limited steering.

Arriving at the airstrip, jumpers from each country donned their parachutes and then moved to a Jumpmaster Personnel Inspection, or JMPI, where they were inspected to ensure they were properly rigged and ready to safely jump.

“The whole thing was a huge challenge,” said Master Sgt. Dustin Boyack, a jumpmaster and the operation’s airborne commander. “When we went to the airborne coordination meeting, there was English, French and Arabic going back and forth, but in the end, it all worked out. The Group Support Battalion motto is ‘find a way, and we did."

And it was awesome to jump from a Moroccan aircraft and see their procedures, which we adapted to, and to see how they would adapt to our procedures,” Boyack continued. “For example, they jumped using their version of [Computer Automated Release Point] and we jumped using [Ground Marked Release System].”

In a Computer Automated Release Point jump the pilots give the green light to exit based on their navigation tools. While Ground Marked Release System, a jumpmaster in the aircraft will look for the release point by spotting panels on the drop zone before allowing paratroopers to exit the aircraft.

The participating countries’ paratroopers planned to hold a wing exchange ceremony June 28, a traditional event following a successful combined airborne operation.

Morocco was one of the first countries to recognize the newly independent U.S. when Sultan Mohammed III, in 1777, opened Morocco’s ports to American ships. Soon thereafter, Morocco formally recognized the U.S. by signing a treaty of peace and friendship in 1786, a document that remains the longest unbroken relationship in U.S. history.

In 2004, the U.S. designated Morocco a major non-NATO ally. Along with the thousands of active-duty U.S. troops that train in Morocco every year are hundreds of Utah’s service members. This year, Utah’s troops are training in and around the Moroccan cities of Agadir, Tifnit, Taliouine, Guelmim and Ben Guerir.

“Multinational exercises like African Lion allow the Utah National Guard’s State Partnership Program to continue to build and enhance professional relationships while supporting the interoperability of forces,” said Maj. Gen. Michael J. Turley, adjutant general, Utah National Guard. “They also allow both parties to further develop tactics, techniques, and procedures together, and advance the capabilities of all participants.”

The National Guard in each state in the U.S. has a partnership with one or more foreign partners. Utah’s partnership with Morocco was established in 2003 and has blossomed into a mature strategic partnership. The overarching goal is to support of U.S. government objectives in-country and within the region using a variety of military-to-military engagements.

The State Partnership Program has expanded to military-to-civilian and civilian-to-civilian interactions that support the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to U.S. security cooperation. Focus areas that support strategic lines of effort and the National Guard’s objectives are: Combined-arms capabilities, including Moroccan Special Operation Forces, Apache AH-64, artillery and F-16 refueling interoperability; humanitarian demining; emergency medicine; disaster response; noncommissioned officer development; and youth exchanges. These partnerships build strategic relationships in personal bonds and enduring trust.

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U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, commander of Southern European Task Force,
Africa, accompanied by Soldiers assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne),
Utah Army National Guard, and Royal Moroccan Army soldiers stand at the back of a
Moroccan C-130 for a group photo during the friendship airborne operation in Grier
Labouihi, Morocco, as part of African Lion 22, June 19, 2022 (Picture source: U.S. Army
National Guard/Spc. Mackenzie Willden)

US Moroccan and Tunisian paratroopers jump at African Lion 22 | Defense News July 2022 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2022 | Archive News year (armyrecognition.com)

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Tunisian Navy's OPV conducts joint exercise with Greek Navy


Naval News August 2022 Navy Forces Maritime Defense Industry

POSTED ON WEDNESDAY, 24 AUGUST 2022 16:49

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According to information published by the Greek MoD on August 22, a PASSEX (Passing Exercise) of the frigate Kanaris and the Etna class replenishment oiler Prometheus with the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) TNS Jugurtha was conducted in the wider maritime area north of the port of La Goulette, Tunisia.

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Tunisian Offshore Patrol Vessel 1400 TNS Jugurtha (Picture source: Hellenic MoD)

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During the co-training, communication and advanced maneuvering items were performed.

This co-training contributed to the promotion of the level of operational readiness, combat capability, and cooperation of the participants, as well as to the practical on-board training of the Naval Cadets in the framework of the Summer Training Course (SPC) of the Naval Cadet School (NCS).

About the TNS Jugurtha

TNS Jugurtha is the first Multi Service Offshore Patrol Vessel 1400 (MSOPV 1400) delivered by Damen to the Tunisian Navy. Despite its size, the smallest OPV offers high-level capabilities. It features an integral helicopter, two sea boats and 25-day endurance, all within 72 meters.

The OPV is powered by four Caterpillar 3512C diesels driving two controllable pitch propellers. Its maximum speed is estimated to be between 21 and 23 knots. The range is thought to be around 4,000nm and endurance around 25 days. The ship complement is 40 +12.



Tunisian Navy's OPV conducts joint exercise with Greek Navy (navyrecognition.com)

Tribute to the Tunisian infantry battalion deployed yesterday in the Central African Republic in support of the United Nations mission in this country. pic.twitter.com/uSuJrPiYve

— Mourad TN (@MouradTN216) September 14, 2022