The Committee of Supply on Tuesday approved the sum of $16.2 billion for the purchase of two new helicopters, drone systems and an offshore patrol vessel for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). This was revealed by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, during the consideration of the budget 2024 estimates at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
The sum of $16,234,661,000 is listed under “Defence Support Programme”” (project code: 5100400), with the heading stating, “Provision for defence support initiatives – India”.
Minister Teixeira responded in the affirmative to the question posed by Opposition Member of Parliament and Alliance for Change (AFC) Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan on whether this sum would see the government following up on its promise to acquire new Bell Helicopters from India.
She noted that the sum relates to the provision of two aircraft, four helicopters and accompanying equipment; Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL), long-range drone systems ($1.3 billion); and a second Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the army ($7 billion).
“This will be increasing our military infrastructure and equipment,” the Minister noted.
The $16.3 billion forms part of the $42.2 billion allocated in Budget 2024 for GDF.
Vice President, Dr: Bharrat Jagdeo recently disclosed at a press conference that the government is moving to procure the new helicopters that will be used by both GDF and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
This development comes weeks after the GDF’s Bell 412 chopper crashed, killing five servicemen.
Brigadier (Ret’d) Gary Beaton, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, and Sergeant Jason Khan, were killed during the crash in Region Seven.
According to reports, the helicopter suffered significant damage. The black box has since been sent to the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) in Washington, United States, for analysis.
