Gov’t considering new helicopters to boost local defence capabilities

As part of a focus on boosting Guyana’s defensive and crime-fighting capabilities, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo says the government is considering whether it should purchase four smaller helicopters and possibly replace the Bell 412 helicopter that crashed in December 2023.

The Vice President, at a press conference on Thursday, said the government is in discussions with the Bell company to possibly purchase four smaller helicopters.

“(Those) would not only assist the army but also the police in training and policing because they will be equipped with new technology like infrared, etc.

“… It’s more along the lines of defensive capacity,” Jagdeo said.

An assessment is, however, being done to determine whether the country will replace the Bell 412 helicopter that crashed in December 2023 or whether it only wants to purchase the smaller aircraft.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo also highlighted that the government is exploring whether it will purchase new maritime assets through a line of credit with India. Those assets, he said, will help to better police Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).