Tanzania Wraps Up Riveting Cutlass Express 2025 Naval Exercise

From February 10 to 21, Exercise Cutlass Express 2025 brought together over 1000 participants from 20 partner nations in a unified effort to enhance maritime security operations in the Western Indian Ocean. The exercise aimed to foster cooperation and expertise among its participants.

Taking place in Tanzania, two national maritime operation centers (MOCs) engaged in real-time scenarios as part of visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) training hosted in Tanga. The exercise was linked to the U.S. Army’s Justified Accord 2025, also held in Tanzania, to improve coordination between land and sea-based operations.

Andrew Lentz, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania, stated, “Through exercises like Cutlass Express, we are building the readiness of our militaries and deepening the bilateral and multilateral relationships required to confront today’s most complex security challenges.”

The focus of Cutlass Express is to enhance the capacity of East African partners in supporting maritime security operations against threats such as piracy, trafficking, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This year marked the first use of a U.S. P-8A Poseidon aircraft in the exercises, facilitating communication links.

Rear Adm. David E. Ludwa emphasized the necessity of collaboration, noting, “Ensuring the free flow of commerce within the region… is vital to the economic stability and security of the region.” He underlined the importance of partnership and improved communication during these exercises.

Participants included nations from five continents like Australia, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, showcasing the global scope of the exercise. Cutlass Express is part of a larger strategy by the U.S. 6th Fleet to address maritime security concerns through collaboration with African forces and international partners.

The U.S. 6th Fleet, based in Naples, Italy, plays a crucial role in conducting comprehensive naval operations to advance U.S. national interests and ensure stability in Europe and Africa.