The United Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) arrived in Kenya on Monday, March 6, after the opening ceremony of the Multinational Maritime Exercise Cutlass Express 2023 was held in Djibouti.
NAVAF will conduct the training of 14 countries in the exercise sponsored by US Africa Command (USAFRICOM).
After their arrival, the team took the participants through a theory class on water survival, vessel boarding phases, and a detailed search demonstration at Bandari Maritime College.
The participating countries include Kenya, Canada, Comoros, Djibouti, France, Georgia, Greece, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
"It is designed to promote national and regional security in the Western Indian Ocean, increase interoperability between the US, East African nations, and international partners, and improve combined maritime law enforcement capacity in the region," Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) announced on Monday, March 6.
Furthermore, the exercise is set to improve Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), enhance information sharing between Maritime Centres as well as strengthen the safety and security in East Africa.
In addition, the exercise is expected to improve adherence to the rule of law, counter-proliferation, and maritime interdiction to disrupt illicit maritime activities
It will be conducted in the East African Coastal regions and the West Indian Ocean.
The two-week exercise that began on March 5 will be conducted in Kenya, Djibouti as well as Mauritius and will involve shore-based and at-sea training drills.
NAVAF aims for cooperative solutions to security challenges in Africa and its surrounding water. It works closely with its Europe, African, and South American partners to disrupt terrorist networks, deter illicit trafficking, and defeat piracy and maritime crime.
On Tuesday, February 28, the Kenya Navy Marine Commandos Basic Training course was launched to be facilitated by the Royal Marines.
The course was expected to train the first batch of Kenya Navy Marines Commandos.
