Cutlass Express Military Exercise Assessed After Intensive Training
VICTORIA, Seychelles, High officers from the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) and the American Navy, alongside journalists from different local media, were on board the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) patrol boat yesterday to watch the search and seizure VBSS interdiction operation training exercise, as part of the 17th Cutlass Express military exercise. The exercise brought together regional and international partners to test coordinated responses to maritime security threats in the western Indian Ocean region. The visit took place under clear weather conditions that allowed the full range of activities to be demonstrated to the visiting media delegation.
VBSS stands for Visit, Board, Search and Seizure, a standard maritime interdiction technique used to inspect vessels suspected of carrying contraband, weapons or other illegal cargo. The 17th edition of Cutlass Express was conducted across several locations in the western Indian Ocean, with Seychelles serving as one of the main hosts. The exercise is sponsored by the US Africa Command and involves more than a dozen partner nations. Officials described it as one of the most important regional maritime security events on the annual calendar.
The visit allowed local media to witness first-hand how the various units work together in a real-time interdiction scenario. Officials explained that the exercise was designed to test communication between the Seychelles Coast Guard, the SDF naval element, and visiting US Navy personnel assigned to the operation. Questions from journalists covered the rules of engagement and the legal framework that governs boarding operations in Seychellois waters.
According to officials, the training covered several scenarios including the interception of suspect vessels, the securing of a ship once boarded, and the handling of any persons found on board. Participants also rehearsed evidence-handling procedures to ensure that material seized during an interdiction can be used in subsequent legal proceedings. The exercise is expected to be assessed over the coming days.
The 17th Cutlass Express exercise is part of a long-running series aimed at improving maritime security and regional cooperation across East Africa and the western Indian Ocean. Seychelles has been a regular participant and host of the exercise, which has helped build the country capacity to combat piracy, illegal fishing, drug trafficking and other maritime crimes. Further activities under the exercise are scheduled in the coming weeks.
