The Government of Guyana yesterday signed a US$16 million contract with Bell Textron Inc for two advanced rotary wing aircraft and emphasised the importance of its relationship with the United States.
The new aircraft will empower the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to effectively conduct a range of missions, including search and rescue, disaster relief, and border security operations, a press release from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) said.
The contract, according to the release, encompasses comprehensive training and maintenance support for these aircraft from Bell Textron Inc of the US, ensuring that the GDF maximizes the benefits of this investment for years to come. In addition to company support for the two helicopters under contract, the release stated that the US Embassy, in coordination with US Southern Command, approved funding for a US Air Force team to provide operations, logistics, and maintenance training to the GDF Air Corps to strengthen their ability to sustain the air fleet.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh said that the signing represents another instalment in the significant investments in the capitalization and recapitalization of the GDF. He said that by the end of this year, the Government would have spent almost $32 billion on investments in capital assets for the GDF since assuming office in 2020. These investments, the MoF release specified, are targeted towards improving all aspects in the Force’s operations (Air Corps, Marine, Infantry, etc.) as well as supporting surveillance of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone and joint services operations.
The agreement also enhances the capabilities of the GDF, serving as a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between Guyana and the United States of America (USA). The release highlighted both governments’ commitment to deepening cooperation in the areas of defence and security, their shared values and goals, and the importance of collaboration in enhancing regional peace and stability.
Further, on behalf of President Irfaan Ali and the Government and People of Guyana, Singh “registered the highest level of importance the Government places on the very special relationship shared with the USA” and emphasized that yesterday’s signing is yet another step in further strengthening and deepening relations between the two countries.
He noted that during the three years from 2021 to 2023, Guyana received US$15.4 billion in foreign direct investment from the USA, representing approximately 96 percent of total FDI over that period. Over the same period, the USA accounted for 13 percent of all exports from Guyana and 17 percent of all imports into Guyana, making the USA Guyana’s largest trading partner.
Dr. Singh thanked the Bell Textron’s team for the support they have given to Guyana and reiterated that the Government looks forward to more USA companies investing in Guyana and doing business in Guyana and with Guyanese companies.
In her remarks, Ambassador of the USA to Guyana, Nicole D. Theriot said that “this partnership represents more than just a commercial transaction. It speaks directly to the core values and priorities that define the relationship between the United States and Guyana, and it underscores our mutual commitment to safety and security. These Bell helicopters enhance Guyana’s capabilities in disaster response, search and rescue, and overall public safety – it is an investment in protecting the lives of the Guyanese people. Coupled with training and maintenance, these aircraft will bolster Guyana’s ability to respond to emergencies swiftly and effectively.”
Theriot further said that “Today’s ceremony marks a significant advancement in our bilateral relationship. The United States remains committed to being a reliable, trusted partner to Guyana, and today we strengthen the foundation of that collaboration.”
And Chief of Defence Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan, stated that “this agreement is not merely us pursuing our defence objective to enhance our rotor-wing capability. In the main, it represents Government’s consistent approach to recapitalising the Force through strategic acquisition and infrastructure development. Notably, for this particular product, the GDF has been operating the Bell brand since the 1980s with the initial purchase of five aircraft during that period. A further two similar brands were purchased in 2007, and an additional two were acquired in 2021 and 2023. While the Force only has one Bell product in service to-date, the acquisition of two more comparable products will better position the Force to enhance the conduct of missions in remote areas of our country.”
The Region Sales Manager of Bell Textron Inc., Michael Aguilar expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana and the GDF for their decision in relation to the acquisition of the two new aircraft and underscored the company’s interest in future supporting Guyana to strengthen its defence capabilities.
Overseeing the signing on behalf of the Government of Guyana was Minister Dr. Singh, Ambassador Theriot, Brigadier Khan and other officials of the Ministry of Finance, the GDF, and the US Embassy.
The model types for the helicopters were not given.
The purchases come following the horrific crash of a new Bell helicopter and the deaths of five senior members of the GDF in December last year.
The Bell 412 helicopter crashed and burned 30 miles east of Arau near the Guyana-Venezuela border on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.
The servicemen who died were: Brigadier (retired) Gary Beaton, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan.
At last word, no information had been provided as yet by the US National Transportation Safety Board on what might have caused the crash.
In January this year, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo announced that the Government of Guyana was currently in conversation with Bell to procure four new helicopters in its bid to strengthen the country’s defences.
