GDF now equipped to “see farther, respond faster” – PM

…as Bell helicopters commissioned

The two newly acquired Bell 407 and Bell 429 helicopters were on Saturday commissioned into service, strengthening the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) national security and emergency response capabilities. With a seating capacity of two crew members and six passengers, the US$10.1 million Bell 429 has a payload of 2700 pounds and a maximum speed of 150 knots. The US$5.9 million Bell 407, on the other hand, has a seating capacity of one crew member and six passengers, with a payload of 2300 pounds and a maximum speed of 133 knots.

The new helicopters have expanded the Force’s ability to enhance operational readiness in areas such as border surveillance, disaster response, humanitarian relief, medical evacuations, search and rescue and joint interagency operations.
Delivering the feature address at the commissioning ceremony held at the GDF’s Hangar at Ogle, Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips says a modern Guyana requires a Defence Force capable of safeguarding a vast and diverse territory, including Guyana’s forests and savannahs, rivers, borders, airspace and exclusive economic zone. “In an era of rapid technological change and evolving security challenges, the defence of Guyana must be agile, intelligence-driven and anchored in professionalism and discipline. The answer, therefore, to the question as to what secures a modern Guyana, lies in building a force that is part of the modernisation momentum, one that is modern in equipment, modern in training and modern in its outlook. It requires sustained investment in air and maritime assets, advanced surveillance systems… and the integration of technology that enhances situational awareness and operational effectiveness,” PM Phillips stated.
According to the PM, these recent acquisitions are clear evidence that the Guyana Government is serious about improving the capabilities of the GDF. This, he pointed out, is evident in the fact that over the last five years, the Government has made “deliberate and systematic investments” to strengthen the aviation capabilities of the army, with the aim of ensuring it is equipped to meet the demands of a modern Guyana.

Technology advancements
“But enhancing the force’s assets is just one limb of our modernisation thrust. The second limb is investing in technology. Technology is a force multiplier. In the extant security environment, it determines not only how effectively a defence force operates, but how intelligently it anticipates and manages risk. Advanced aviation assets, surveillance systems, communication platforms and data-driven intelligence tools allow the force to see farther, respond faster and act with greater precision,” he asserted. PM Phillips, a former army chief himself, went on to underscore Guyana’s responsibility as a sovereign state. He emphasised the obligation to safeguard Guyana’s national sovereignty and to preserve, protect and defend its territorial integrity – something which he says must be backed by a willingness to invest in assets for the defence force.
“In a country of Guyana size and geographic diversity, technology bridges distance. It helps to overcome the difficulties of terrain. It ensures that national defence is proactive rather than reactive. In keeping with this modern approach to defence and security, we are also keen to invest in drone technology to enhance the surveillance of our borders and our exclusive economic zone. Drones provide persistent, cost-effective and precise monitoring capabilities. They allow us to see farther, respond faster and act smarter,” the PM noted. Similar sentiments were expressed by the Chief of Defence Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan, who posited that the two new helicopters will sharpen their vigilance and strengthen their strategic preparedness.
“Today, as the rotors turn and lift is generated, we are reminded that air power is not about altitude alone. It is about access, speed and decisive presence. What we commission here this morning is not simply flight capability, but the ability to arrive first, see farther, respond faster and protect more effectively,” the Army Chief stated.

Asset transformation
He went on to note that the acquisition of these new assets stands as proof that the GDF continues to evolve towards the future, affirming clearly and confidently that Guyana’s security architecture is not waiting for the future but is being engineered. “The induction of the Bell 429 and Bell 407…in your Corps represents far more than an expansion of our aviation fleet – counting now to nine. It signals the steady transformation of the Guyana Defence Force into a technology-enabled, agile and mission-ready force capable of operating across our vast landmass, extended maritime space and complex air domain,” Brigadier Khan said.
This achievement, according to the Army Chief, aligns with the vision and commitment of the Guyana Government and Commander-in-Chief, President Dr Irfaan Ali’s strategic vision, which recognises that a modern, capable, and professional Defence Force is essential to safeguarding national sovereignty, supporting development, and ensuring stability in an era of rapid change.
Brigadier Khan further highlighted that while these helicopters will enhance situational awareness from the air and provide agility in deployment and response time, this will demand adaptability from crew members, the maintenance engineers and technicians.
“Therefore, I say to the officers, aircrew, engineers and technicians who will operate and sustain these aircraft, you carry a deep responsibility. These assets must be employed with professional excellence, strict discipline and uncompromising safety standards. Your conduct will determine not only operational success, but public confidence in our Defence Force,” the GDF Head stressed.
The two Bell helicopters, which were manufactured in the United States, are part of GDF’s recapitalisation plan. Back in October 2024, the Guyana Government had signed a US$16 million contract with US-based Bell Textron Inc for the supply of two advanced rotary-wing aircraft.