US-built military patrol boat to patrol EEZ arriving soon

…as part of additional GDF equipment to stop foreign illegal fishing

Guyana has been losing significant revenue from illegal fishing in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a problem which President Dr Irfaan Ali said is being dealt with through the modernisation and outfitting of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) with a wide range of marine and aviation equipment.
The President made this disclosure during the commissioning ceremony for the refurbished twin engine Beechcraft aircraft which was discovered back in 2017 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and will now be used for Government travel. Also at the ceremony was a new Bell 412 EPI helicopter that has been purchased by the Government.

According to President Ali, patrolling the EEZ will require rapid investment in the Coast Guard and marine assets. Even now, the President revealed that they are awaiting new marine assets from United States (US)-based company Metal Shark, such as a Coast Guard patrol vessel that is due to arrive soon.
Additionally, they are already in discussions with different stakeholders on a mother ship to help secure the EEZ. President Ali pointed out that Guyana is already losing significant revenue from illegal fishing in the EEZ.
“We’re already in discussions with different stakeholders on a mother ship that would help us in securing our EEZ and ensuring that the commercial value of our EEZ is not exploited without us having a presence there. And that is what the Beechcraft would allow us to do,” President Ali said.
“When outfitted with additional equipment and the Dornier when that comes into the fleet, [it] will help us to tremendously secure our EEZ. We know from information that is being shared with us that we’re losing a lot of revenue with illegal fishing within our EEZ. So, the commercial viability of the investment is one that is also taken into consideration.”
President Ali spoke of the need for aggressive policing and ways in which the Government is supporting the GDF while it builds capacity. He also revealed that, with the authorisation of the Defence Board, the GDF will be taking over the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) hangar at the Eugene F Correia airport.
“The Defence Board has also authorised the Air Corps, the Chief of Staff, to move now on setting out a plan to take over the operations, maintenance of the GuySuCo hangar at Ogle. So that that GuySuCo hangar will now come into use for the Air Corps, but in an expanded way.”

“For aggressive policing, we also need assets to support our Police along the coast. And we’ll be investing in pieces of assets to support Police work, and the military will have the responsibility of ensuring that we have adequately trained Police officers to be part of this transition. So that is another piece of asset that will be coming,” the President further said.
It had been announced last year that US-based boat builder, Metal Shark, was constructing a 115-foot military patrol vessel for the GDF. Metal Shark’s Vice President of International Business Development, Henry Irizarry, had said that GDF and his company have been strategic partners for almost a decade.
“The United States Ambassador and US Embassy staff in Guyana were crucial in advocating for Metal Shark and our American-made products, and our team worked closely with the GDF and the Government of Guyana to design a vessel ideally suited for their operational requirements. Metal Shark looks forward to delivering this modern and capable patrol craft platform, which will be the latest success in our long-term partnership with Guyana,” Irizarry had added.
“As with the other nearly 1000 Metal Shark Defiant-class vessels now in military service worldwide, the new 115 Defiant combines modern, crew-friendly features in a durable and functional package designed for performance,” said Metal Shark CEO Chris Allard. “With this new platform we’re delivering a custom-tailored solution that will serve the Guyana Defence Force for years to come, while at the same time presenting a compelling and capable new offering to all of our military clients.” (G3)