The Pentagon is sending more than $25 million in military equipment, small boats and other support to Tunisia and Malta, the Associated Press reported today.

Nearly $21 million will be used to provide patrol boats, trucks, helicopter upgrades, radar and training to Tunisia, the agency said, quoting Pentagon documents.

Malta will receive about $4.7 million in aid in the form of boats, night-vision equipment, computers and maritime training.

The AFM's maritime squadron includes two Protector class patrol boats bought brand new  from the United States with American military assistance almost 10 years ago. The squadron recently commissioned four Austal patrol boats built in Australia to AFM specifications and paid for largely by EU funds. It also operates a Diciotti class large patrol craft bought from Italy using Italian protocol funds.

Over the years the AFM has benefited from officer training in US military academies and has also received trucks and other equipment. However, talks leading to the possible purchase of an American twin-engined helicopter were never concluded. The AFM has bought new fixed-wing aircraft for maritime patrol thanks to EU funding, but badly needs helicopters to start replacing its ageing 'Alouettes'.