Seychelles hosts launch of Cutlass |15 February 2025

Express 2025 maritime exercise

The U.S. embassy in Seychelles, in collaboration with U.S. Naval Forces Africa (Navaf), launched the 15th Cutlass Express 2025 (CE25) on February 10.

CE25 is a 10-day multinational maritime exercise focused on strengthening maritime security and

regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean.

The exercise runs from February 10 to 21 and takes place throughout East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean, including in Seychelles.

Sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (Africom) and facilitated by Navaf, Cutlass Express is an annual maritime exercise that brings together more than 20 multinational partners for two weeks of training to support collaborative maritime security operations in the region.

Throughout the exercise, U.S. forces will work alongside participating nations to enhance maritime domain awareness, improve international law enforcement capacity and increase cooperation among the U.S., African, and other multinational partner navies and coast guards.

This year, 12 nations are participating in CE25, including Seychelles, Mauritius, Tanzania, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Comoros, Djibouti, and Somalia, alongside the United States.

Approximately 120 international partners are present in Seychelles, with around 40 U.S. personnel contributing to training and support roles.

Exercise Cutlass Express 2025 will focus on sharing information and coordinating efforts across nine maritime operation centres (MOCs) in the region. The exercise is connected to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s International Maritime Exercise 2025, with MOCs working together to improve coordination between regions, strengthen partnerships, and boost the capabilities of the U.S. and participating nations.

“Cutlass Express continues to provide an exceptional venue to collaborate with our African

partners on maritime security,” said Vice Adm. J. T. Anderson, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet.

“When we combine the strength of our partnerships with the high level of training provided by

exercises like this, we improve the overall security and economic prosperity of a region that

extends far beyond the territorial waters and exclusive economic zones of each individual

nation,” he added.

The exercise will feature a variety of practical training scenarios, including Vessel Board Search

and Seizure (VBSS) operations, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) training. These exercises are designed to improve operational readiness and enhance the collective ability to counter piracy, illicit trafficking, maritime smuggling, and other illegal activities that threaten regional security.

Cutlass Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by the U.S. 6th Fleet.

These exercises are part of a broader strategy to strengthen cooperation between African nations and

international partners, working together to address shared maritime security challenges.

The launch of Cutlass Express 2025 in Seychelles also highlights the country’s growing leadership role in regional maritime security.

Press Release from the U.S. embassy