Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 to Enhance Maritime Security in East Africa
•February 4, 2026
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Why It Matters
Strengthened maritime cooperation curbs illegal exploitation and protects vital trade routes, reinforcing both regional stability and U.S. strategic interests in Africa’s maritime domain.
Key Takeaways
- •19 nations participate in Cutlass Express 2026
- •Exercise focuses on VBSS, interdiction, and illegal fishing
- •U.S. 6th Fleet deploys unmanned platforms for detection
- •Enhances maritime domain awareness across Western Indian Ocean
- •Strengthens interoperability and regional security cooperation
Pulse Analysis
East Africa’s coastline and the Western Indian Ocean sit at the nexus of global trade, energy flows, and emerging security challenges. Piracy, illegal fishing, and trans‑national crime threaten not only regional economies but also the broader supply chain that underpins international markets. By concentrating resources on maritime domain awareness, Cutlass Express 2026 addresses these vulnerabilities, ensuring that commercial vessels can navigate safely while preserving the economic lifelines of nations that depend on sea‑borne commerce.
The 2026 iteration of Cutlass Express expands on prior exercises by incorporating a blend of traditional seamanship and cutting‑edge technology. Nineteen countries, from Kenya to the United Kingdom, will conduct joint VBSS operations, counter‑illegal‑fishing drills, and medical response training. A notable addition is the deployment of unmanned aerial and surface platforms under the U.S. 6th Fleet’s Task Force 66, reflecting AFRICOM’s push to embed robotic and autonomous systems into routine patrols. This hybrid approach not only sharpens tactical interdiction skills but also demonstrates how autonomous assets can extend surveillance reach across vast exclusive economic zones.
For the United States, the exercise reinforces a long‑standing commitment to a free and open Indo‑Pacific and African maritime environment. By fostering interoperability, the U.S. cultivates trusted partners capable of joint response, reducing the need for unilateral action. The collaborative framework also signals to potential adversaries that the region enjoys a coordinated security umbrella, deterring malign activity before it escalates. Looking ahead, sustained engagement through the Express series will likely shape a resilient maritime security architecture that supports Africa’s economic growth and aligns with broader U.S. geopolitical objectives.
Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 to Enhance Maritime Security in East Africa
Cutlass Express 2026 Enhances Maritime Security and Interoperability in East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean
The exercise brings together 19 partner and allied nations to improve combined maritime law‑enforcement capacity, promote national and regional security in East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean, and increase interoperability between participating nations.
“Cutlass Express is a cornerstone of maritime security and cooperation in the strategic waters of the East African coast and the Western Indian Ocean,” said Vice Adm. J. T. Anderson, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. “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.”
Cutlass Express 2026 will involve a series of shore‑based and at‑sea training events. Participants will engage in scenarios that test their capabilities in regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information‑sharing practices, and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of participating nations to counter illicit sea‑based activity.
These scenarios will include visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) and maritime interdiction training, counter‑illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing procedures, and medical training.
Building off Phoenix Express’ integration of robotic and autonomous systems (RAS), commander Task Force (CTF) 66 will deploy unmanned platforms and operate with partner navies to enhance deterrence and detection of illegal activities throughout African exclusive economic zones. CTF‑66 is U.S. 6th Fleet’s purpose‑built, all‑domain task force for integrating RAS.
Participating nations in Cutlass Express 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.
Cutlass Express is one of three regional “Express” series exercises sponsored by AFRICOM. These exercises aim to provide African forces and international partners with collaborative opportunities to address comprehensive maritime security concerns.
The U.S. shares a common interest with African partner nations in ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation on the waters surrounding the continent, as these waters are critical for Africa’s prosperity and access to global markets.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR/NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR/NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility.
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