In Spring 2015, the Tunisian Coast Guard (Garde Nationale) and the Tunisian Navy will take a total of twelve patrol vessels into service for better access to the nation's Mediterranean borders.
The patrol boats are a gift from the Italian interior ministry to Tunisia. Six 27-metre-class and six 35-metre vessels will conduct patrols to support the Tunisian Navy in rescuing refugees from Africa.
The Italian interior ministry placed the order for these boats with the Cantiere Navale Vittoria shipyard in 2011.
The 35-metre boats for the Garde Nationale are each propelled by two 16V-series 4000 M93 engines. The vessels have a top speed of 38 knots.
The six 27-metre patrol boats, meanwhile, each powered by three 12V-series 2000 M84 (1.220 kW) engines, are destined for the Tunisian Navy. These vessels reach a top speed of 38 knots.
Three of the six 27-metre vessels have already been handed over to Tunisia by the Italian interior ministry. Two other boats will be going into operation before the end of this year, with the final vessel following next spring.
