GDF boosted with approximately $300M boat purchases

By Leroy Smith

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) today (Wednesday, March 29, 2017) received two brand new Metal Shark Boats worth approximately $140M each which is expected to boost the army.

The keys to the boats were handed over to GDF Chief of Staff, Patrick West by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Chairman of the Defence Board, President David Granger.

The boats were acquired from the United States and are almost identical to three metal boats where were gifted to Guyana a few years back under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative.

Addressing the gathering of senior and junior ranks of the Army and Coast Guard this morning (Wednesday, March 29, 2017), President David Granger said that the vessels will continue to help in the fight to suppress illegal activities on Guyana’s waterways. He added that it will also ensure the safety of those on the waterways.

Chief of Staff, Patrick West said this recent purchase is as a result of the good performance of the three metal sharks which Guyana received from the US several years ago. West expressed the confidence that the boats are ideal to address issues such as smuggling.

The arrival of the boats in Guyana was facilitated by the United States Embassy in Guyana.