The two Dornier 228 planes from India for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) which arrived here on Sunday evening have a seating capacity of 19 and an average cargo capacity of 3000 lbs.
This information provided to Stabroek News recently by the GDF’s communications department noted that the HAL Dornier 228 was manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Kanpur and is geared at significantly enhancing lift capacity and reliability in moving personnel and cargo.
The aircraft (at a total cost for both of US$23.37 million) will also enhance geographic reach and has a short takeoff and landing capability (STOL).
STOL allows for access to most hinterland airstrips. Reinforcement of areas such as Eteringbang in Region Seven is seen as vital.
According to the Office of the Presi-dent, the two planes arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport , Timehri on Sunday evening on two Boeing C-17 Globemaster military transport planes.
A Facebook post by the Guyana Defence Force yesterday said that over the next month, the aircraft will be assembled by the HAL team. Afterwards, the aircraft will be handed over to the Government of Guyana and integrated into the Guyana Defence Force Air Corps fleet.
Nothing has been said yet about pilot training for the aircraft.
Stabroek News on March 16th of this year reported that the two planes acquired for the GDF will be under an India EXIM Bank credit as the government here moves to enhance the country’s defence capability.
According to a release from the Minis-try of Finance, Minister Dr Ashni Singh on March 15, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, signed a Line of Credit (LOC) Agreement of US$23.27 million, with the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank), for the procurement of the two aircraft. Signing on behalf of the Indian EXIM Bank was its Deputy General Manager – Line of Credit Group, Sanjay Lamba.
The release said this agreement had its genesis in President Irfaan Ali’s visit to India’s state-owned aerospace and defence company – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, in January 2023.
High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr Amit Telang, during remarks, said that India attaches great importance to the relationship it shares with Guyana, and the signing of the LOC is just another means of cementing its partnership with Guyana. He pointed out that the Agreement is the first-ever defence LOC signed with the Caribbean.
Singh, while delivering remarks, placed on record the Government’s appreciation of India’s support to Guyana.
The Finance Minister added that the government is investing heavily in strengthening the capabilities of the GDF, in particular, in some of its specialised wings, such as the Air Corps and the Coast Guard.
According to the release the government official further stated that the purchase of the two aircraft is part of the biggest ever investment in the capitalisation of the force thus far.
Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan, while speaking on behalf of the defence sector, recognized the role that the Government of India has played in defence training over decades in Guyana and noted that the signing is in keeping with President Ali’s vision of a strengthened security sector that will help to maintain the peace and prosperity for One Guyana.
