…Investments in GDF for Guyana’s protection, not war – Commander-in-Chief
President Dr Irfaan Ali, on Friday, commissioned a new $231.1 million Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Air Corps’ Hangar at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, made it clear that the heavy investments being made in the GDF is to bolster national security and not for war.
According to the President, Government has spent over $10 billion on the acquisition of four helicopters, maintenance of existing resources and the purchasing of other assets within the GDF Air Corps, while more than $400 million was expended on enhancing its human resource capability over the last four years, with another $400 million earmarked this year to continued capacity-building efforts.
These investments, the Head of State pointed out, are geared towards transforming the country’s security architecture and not for war or aggression.
“A strong nation must have the means to deter and identify threats. That is why we are investing in our Defence Force—not for war, not for aggression, but for protection, for development, and for national security.”
“Today, we mark a critical step forward in that mission with the opening of this hangar at Ogle. This facility is not just a building; it is a statement. It says that Guyana is prepared, that our Defence Force is evolving, and that our skies will be watched and protected, and it will be sure to serve our people. Our eyes will be sharper, our reach will be longer [and] our response will be swifter,” the Commander-in-Chief posited.
He went on to dismiss those who questions such investments in the country’s military, declaring that security is not an expense. The Head of State further argued that nation that cannot defend itself, cannot develop itself.
“Every dollar spent on strengthening our Defence Force is a dollar spent on safeguarding our economic potential, ensuring that investors have confidence in our stability, and protecting the very foundation upon which development is built. Without security, businesses cannot thrive, communities cannot flourish, and progress cannot be sustained. That is why our investment in defence is not about preparing for war, it is about guaranteeing peace, deterring aggression, and creating an environment where every citizen can work and live without fear.”
“We are not arming ourselves for aggression. We are arming ourselves for protection. We are not building a Defence Force for war. We are building a Defence Force for resilience. We are not preparing for conflict. We are preparing for any eventuality. Our military must be ready—not just to defend our borders, but to assist in times of disaster, to respond to emergencies, and to contribute to national development. Whether it is delivering aid in times of flooding, assisting communities in times of crisis, or safeguarding our natural resources, the Guyana Defence Force will stand as a strong and solid rock that secure our country and our people,” he contended.
Technology
As part of efforts to strengthen the GDF Air Crops, President Ali assured that his Government will ensure that the military’s aviation arm is equipped with the tools needed especially when it comes to patrolling borders, responding to threats and support national development.
To this end, the Head of State explained that the central location of the new Air Corps Hangar is important.
“This facility here today also offers us better opportunities in terms of operability and integration. As you’re aware, almost all the assets to support the gas sector operate out of Ogle, and some of these assets are specific in nature, in the sense that they offer us additional assets in search and rescue. As a result of that, it is important that we are in an environment that offers greater operability and integration, because, as you know, the Guyana Defence Force and our security architecture work in partnership, because national security defence is about partnership,” he stressed.
Moreover, President Ali further highlighted the important role technology will play in strengthening the GDF’s Air Corps, to better protect the country’s skyline as well as its borders.
“As you’re aware, our EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) is a large space; monitoring our borders requires us to adopt a nimble strategy, and part of that nimble strategy is technology that allows us to see and monitor our borders and our EEZ, and that is what we’re investing in… But important to the investment in our air capability, is our drone strategy and programme. And here, we are going to spend billions of dollars, and we will perhaps have, with these investments, one of the most modern, expansive drone capability in this region, and with that drone capability comes the requirement for these facilities,” the Head of State said.
Operation synergy
Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, welcomed the investment, noting that the location of his new hangar will enhance response time and increase operational reach of the GDF’s Air Corps. He said the hangar positions the Air Corps closer to the country’s maritime sector and other aviation stakeholders.
The majority of the oil and gas support assets also operate from the Eugene F. Correia International Airport.
“What better can we have than to have another GDF hangar positioned physically among a growing local private aviation industry, the bulk of which is situated right here at this airport. While our roles are distinct, the synergy of operating at this airport is filled with opportunities that can only make us better at executing our service to our country,” he stated.
Beyond its security functions, the GDF partners with the private aviation sector to provide medical evacuations, conduct search and rescue operations and provide humanitarian flights for those in need.
“Our presence here at Ogle will also provide critical support to law enforcement which, by all intents and purposes, will see an aviation integrated service involving the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and other agencies. This hangar, therefore, will surely add to our operational profile and serve as a force multiplier,” the army Chief noted.
The newly commissioned GDF Air Corps Hangar was acquired from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), and rehabilitation works started in February 2024 after the $231,178,563 contract was awarded to Synergy General Contracting and Engineering Services.
