Mauritania has developed a five-year plan to develop its navy into a force that is capable of defending the country’s 235,000 km squared exclusive economic zone, Admiral Isselkou Ould Cheik el-Weli said during a promotion ceremony held at the Nouadhibou naval base in late May. The Saharamedias.net website reported that the plan includes the acquisition of two 60-meter vessels, which are currently under construction, and “mid-sized ships”, as well as the formation of three companies of marines. No further details were provided.