Supplementary funding allows GDF four new aircraft

DPI, GUYANA, Friday, May 11, 2018

Having already secured some $213Million for the purchase of four aircraft, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) today turned to the National Assembly for an additional $484Million to complete the purchase.

The house gave approval for the supplementary provision which will see the GDF acquiring some $484, 239,000 to complete the purchase of two Belgium made Sky vans and two Brazilian Highlanders. The request falls under the Guyana Defence Force’s Defence and Security Support.

Speaking on behalf of the GDF, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said the army has identified financing to the tune of $213,885,000 from its capital programme to meet the initial payments for the acquisition of four aircraft. The additional resources requested were required to facilitate final payment.

Providing information to the parliamentary Opposition, Minister Harmon informed that the sky vans were manufactured in 1977 and the Highlanders in 1976.

“The sky vans are out of Belgium but owned by an American company Liberty aviation. The Highlanders are from Brazil,” Minister Harmon informed.

He said the GDF air corps has a fleet of experienced maintenance personnel for the aircraft along with seven highly skilled and certified engineers who will be manning the engines.

According to Minister Harmon, the decision to purchase the aircraft was made specifically for matters of areas surveillance. The decision, he said, was made at the level of the Defence Board.

While other agencies of the joint services will be allowed to utilise the aircraft, Minister Harmon said they will directly be assigned to the GDF for maintenance, among other things.

 

By: Alexis Rodney.