Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 has commenced in Port Louis, Mauritius, bringing together 19 partner and allied nations for maritime security training across Mauritius and Seychelles from 2 to 12 February, the U.S. Navy stated.
The exercise is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and enabled by U.S. Sixth Fleet, with Mauritius hosting this year’s iteration. According to the U.S. Navy, the aim is to improve maritime law enforcement capacity, strengthen regional security in East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean, and increase interoperability between participating nations.
Vice Adm. J.T. Anderson, commander of U.S. Sixth Fleet, described the exercise as central to cooperative security efforts in the region.
“Cutlass Express is a cornerstone of maritime security and cooperation in the strategic waters of the East African coast and the Western Indian Ocean,” he said. “The more we operate with our partners in this critical region, the more we enhance interoperability and achieve our combined maritime security goals. Exercises like Cutlass Express ensure freedom of navigation, bolster maritime domain awareness, and strengthen naval readiness to counter malign activity.”
The U.S. Navy said Cutlass Express 2026 includes both shore-based and at-sea events, with scenarios focused on regional coordination, maritime domain awareness, information sharing, and tactical interdiction.
Training activities will include visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) drills, maritime interdiction procedures, counter-illegal fishing training, and medical exercises.
The Navy added that Task Force 66, U.S. Sixth Fleet’s unit responsible for integrating robotic and autonomous systems, will deploy unmanned platforms during the exercise to support deterrence and detection of illegal activity in African exclusive economic zones.
Participating nations include Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Georgia, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Interestingly Trump has now decided that the conservative negotiated Mauritius deal to lease the base at Diego Garcia for 140 years is the best deal.
Now now you do know Cameron actually STOPPED the deal when he was foreign secretary don’t you? It was Starmer and Lammy aided by their mate Sands (who was filmed by the Chinese planting a Mauritius flag on the islands) who restarted the deal! Don’t let the truth get in the way though will you?
He would do! It’s the MoD budget that is paying for it, not the US.
A good deal in anyone’s book, an ally paying for something that they barely use for you to operate.
How many ships, planes, helicopters, missiles, armoured vehicles could those many billions have been used for?
MoD is so strapped for cash despite the grandstanding about uplifts that dozens of small digit millions programmes are being cancelled left right and centre as MoD tries to make savings, and as for finding a few billions for new helicopters for the RAF and 155mm artillery for the Army….not happening. You know, quite important things for a military?
These HR Lawyers have their priorities, and it’s not Great Britain’s interests.
I’m sure the Chinese will be informed by Mauritius of all that goes on!