Tanzanian Naval Command

Tanzanian Naval Command (including its Marine Unit) and the integrated Air Defence Command

Tanzanian Naval Command (including its Marine Unit) and the integrated Air Defence Command 

In the Tanzanian military structure, the Air Defence Command (ε3,000 personnel) operates the Kingdom's combat and transport aircraft, while the Naval Command focuses on maritime security with a small organic Marine Unit (ε100 personnel). By 2026, these forces are increasingly tasked with addressing non-state threats such as piracy, poaching, and terrorism.

TANZANIA NAVAL COMMAND • Jeshi la Majini

Naval Personnel: ε850–1,000 (including ε100 Marine Unit). Status: Operational. Strategy: Maritime domain awareness, protection of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and countering regional piracy.

Forces by Role & Equipment by Type

• GROUND-BASED AIR DEFENCE (GBAD)

Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM):

• S-125 Pechora (RS-SA-3 Goa) (Short-range).
• 9K32 Strela-2 (RS-SA-7 Grail) (Point-defence/MANPADS).
• QW-2 (Point-defence).

Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Guns):

• 14.5mm ZPU-4; 23mm ZU-23-2; 37mm Type-65/74.
  
  

• PATROL AND COASTAL COMBATANTS Total 14 active vessels.

Coastal Patrol (PCC/PHT):

• 2 Mwitongo (ex-PRC Haiqing-class).
• 2 Type-025 (Huchuan-class) torpedo-capable fast attack craft.

Patrol Boats (PB):

• 4 Mambwe (Damen Fast Crew Supplier 3307).
• 2 Ngunguri.
• 2 Type-062 (PRC Shanghai II-class).
• 2 VT 23m.

• AMPHIBIOUS & LOGISTICS

• 1 Kasa (Landing Craft Tank).
• 2 Mbono (ex-PRC Yunnan-class Landing Craft Medium).

Strategic Note: By 2026, Tanzania has significantly bolstered its tactical mobility and airlift capacity through the induction of European platforms like the C-27J Spartan and advanced Airbus helicopters. This modernization is designed to improve the speed of response to internal security crises and regional peacekeeping commitments, such as the UN Force Intervention Brigade in the DRC. While the Kingdom maintains strong defense ties with China for its fighter fleet and naval vessels, it has diversified its logistical pipeline to include Italian and French aerospace technology. Global situational awareness is supplemented by the SB7L-360 Seeker ISR platform, ensuring the Kingdom can monitor its coastal waters and borders against evolving non-state threats.