Guyana Defence Force
GDF emblem
Guyana Defence Force flag
Motto"SERVICE"[1]
Founded1 November 1965 (de facto)
22 May 1966 (de jure)[2]
Service branches
  • Army
  • Air Corps
  • Coast Guard
Leadership
Commander-in-ChiefMohamed Irfaan Ali
Chief of StaffOmar Khan[3]
Personnel
Military age18 years of age
ConscriptionNo
Active personnel3,400 (2023)[4]
Reserve personnel670 (2023)[4]
Expenditures
Percent of GDP1.69% (2018)[5]
Industry
Foreign suppliers
Related articles
HistoryRupununi Uprising

Operation Uphold Democracy

2023 Guayana Esequiba crisis
RanksMilitary ranks of Guyana

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is the military of Guyana, established in 1965. It has military bases across the nation.[6] The Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force is always the incumbent President of Guyana.[7]

History

Twentieth century

The GDF was formed on 1 November 1965. Members of the new Defence Force were drawn from the British Guiana Volunteer Force (BGVF), Special Service Unit (SSU), British Guiana Police Force (BGPF) and civilians. Training assistance was provided by British instructors.

A survey party sent by the Surinamese government, which at the time was still under Dutch colonial rule, was sent to the Tigri Area in late 1967 as part of Suriname's "Operation Grasshopper", prompting the GDF to confiscate their weapons and expel them from the territory on December 12.[8]

On January 2, 1969, the Rupununi uprising by native Pemon and Wapishana led by Valerie Hart, with reported support from Venezuela,[4] began with an attack against Lethem, the capital of the Upper Takutu–Upper Essequibo region, resulting in the deaths of five police officers and two civilians and the destruction of Guyanese government buildings.[9] The rebels locked townsfolk in their homes, blocked airstrips in the area, and took Guyanese government officials into their custody.[10][11] Guyanese forces mobilized from the nearest unblocked airstrip and in two days the insurrection was quelled, with many rebels fleeing into Venezuela and Brazil, with Hart fleeing to the former.[12][13] Accusations of massacres by Guyanese forces of native Amerindians have been put forth, which the Guyanese government denied and the Guyanese government accused the rebels of being backed by Venezuela and attempting to cede themselves to Venezuela.[14][15][16]

Omar Khan, Chief of Staff of the GDF

In mid–August 1969, patrolling GDF forces discovered a Surinamese camp and partially completed airstrip in the Tigri Area. This discovery prompted the GDF to launch an operation on August 19 against the camp and airstrip, resulting in the expulsion of Surinamese forces from the area.[8]

A platoon of GDF soldiers, part of a contingent of Caribbean Community troops, were involved in the 1994 US-led intervention Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti.[17]

Twenty-first century

On 28 November 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Guyana announced that the United States military and the Guyana Defence Force would strengthen their military partnership.[18] This occurred during the 2023 Guyana–Venezuela crisis when its neighboring country, Venezuela, announced the annexation of the majority of Guyana's western territories via the 2023 Venezuelan referendum.[19] The GDF is multiple factors smaller than the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela and would have great difficulty defending itself from Venezuela without foreign support.[4]

Roles and functions

Three main roles exist for the GDF:

  • Defend the territorial integrity of Guyana.
  • Assist the civil power in the maintenance of law and order when required to do so.
  • Contribute to the economic development of Guyana.

The GDF is an integral part of the Guyanese nation. Resources and equipment of the GDF are used to help other Guyanese; examples include medical mercy flights and the construction of roads and airstrips by the Engineering Corps.

Enlistment into the force is voluntary for officers and soldiers. Basic training is done within GDF training schools, which has also trained officers and soldiers from Commonwealth Caribbean territories. However, officers are trained at one of two British officer training schools: Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (Infantry Training) and Britannia Royal Naval College (Coast Guard Training).

The training and skills gained by the members of the GDF have been used when they move either into civilian life or into the sister military organizations, the Guyana National Reserve (now the Second Infantry Battalion Group Reserve) and formerly the Guyana National Service (disbanded in 2000) and the Guyana People's Militia.

Organization

GDF Coast Guard flag
GDF Air Corps flag
  • 1st Infantry Battalion Group
  • 3rd Infantry Battalion
  • 2nd Infantry Battalion Group Reserve (formerly the Guyana People's Militia)
  • 31 Special Forces Squadron
  • 21st Artillery Company
  • Engineer Battalion
  • Signals Corps
  • Defence Headquarters
  • Training Corps
  • Intelligence Corps
  • Coast Guard
  • Band Corps
  • Medical Corps
  • Air Corps

1st Infantry Battalion Group

In the 1980s, the Guyana Defence Force manned the Amawai, Roraima, Ireng, and Takutu sectors, while the Kutari Sector was manned by the then Guyana National Service. In 1988, these GDF battalions were merged to create the 1st Infantry Battalion, later known as the 1st Infantry Battalion Group. At that time, the Force had more resources, including human, financial, and materiel, compared to its current state. However, today, the amalgamated battalion faces significant challenges as it is now required to carry out the tasks previously handled by multiple units. This poses a considerable challenge, especially given the changing dynamics in the global environment, which are impacting the nation's security.[20]

31 Special Forces Squadron

The 31 Special Forces Squadron is a special forces group that is specialized in airborne, jungle and river warfare operations.[4]

GDF Band Corps

The Guyana Defence Force Band Corps is the official musical unit of the GDF whose role is to provide musical accompaniment for ceremonial functions of the GDF.[21] The members were drawn from the Rifle Companies and the defunct Volunteer Force and were brought out during regimental military parades. The Guyana Defence Force Steel Band would soon follow the main band's lead after its own establishment in 1970, three years after the original band was founded.[22]

Medical Corps

The Medical Corps provides medical and dental care to all the members of the GDF and their immediate families. It often liaises with the Health ministry for medical procedures and protocol to be carried out effectively. The corps is situated in Base Camp Ayanganna which includes facilities such as a medical laboratory and a dental lab.[23]

Chief of Staff

Equipment

Much of the equipment belonging to Guyana are Cold War era weapons, with some World War II armaments still supplied.[4] Guyana is a member of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. It maintains strong military relations with Brazil, with which it collaborates on border security through yearly regional military exchange gatherings. Moreover, the nation has bilateral pacts with China, France, and the USA. The GDF engages in regular training and participates in bilateral activities. Equipment is mostly composed of ex-Soviet and British weapons and vehicles. The air force has enhanced its limited air-transport capabilities with second-hand aircraft primarily from Brazilian and North American origins. With the exception of maintenance facilities, a defence-industrial sector does not exist.[24]

Armoured fighting vehicles

Model Image Origin Quantity Details
Reconnaissance
EE-9 Cascavel  Brazil ~6 only reported.[24]
EE-11 Urutu  Brazil 24[4] MkIII variant, unknown if functional[4]

Armoured transport vehicles

Model Image Origin Quantity Details
Shorland S52  United Kingdom 5[25] [4]

Artillery

Model Image Origin Calibre Quantity Details
Towed
M-46  Soviet Union 130mm ~6 [24]
Multiple rocket systems
Type 63  China 107mm 6 [4]
Mortars
L16A1  United Kingdom 81mm ~12 [24]
M-43  Soviet Union 82mm ~18 [24]
120mm ~18 [24]

Patrol and coastal combatants

Model Image Origin Variant Quantity Acquired Details
PCO
GDFS Essequibo  United Kingdom River-class minesweeper[24] ~1 2001[26] Ship in poor condition[4][27][28]
Patrol boats
Barracuda  United States 44-foot motor lifeboat ~4 2001[29] ex-US Type-44.[24]
GDFS Berbice  United States 115 Defiant-class patrol vessels 1 2023 Incorporated in November 2023.[30]

Small arms

Name Image Caliber Type Origin Notes
Pistols
Walther PPK[31] .32 ACP Semi-automatic pistol  Germany
Submachine guns
Sten[31] 9×19mm Submachine gun  United Kingdom
Sterling[31] 9×19mm Submachine gun  United Kingdom
Rifles
SKS[31] 7.62×39mm Semi-automatic rifle  Soviet Union
AKM[31] 7.62×39mm Assault rifle  Soviet Union
Type 63[31] 7.62×39mm Assault rifle  China
Type 56[31] 7.62×39mm Assault rifle  China
M16[31] 5.56×45mm Assault rifle  United States
FAMAS[32] 5.56×45mm Assault rifle  France
Heckler & Koch G36[31] 5.56×45mm Assault rifle  Germany
FN FAL[31] 7.62×51mm Battle rifle  Belgium
Heckler & Koch G3[31] 7.62×51mm Battle rifle  West Germany
Machine guns
Bren[31] 7.62×51mm Light machine gun  United Kingdom
FN Minimi[32] 5.56×45mm Light machine gun  Belgium
FN MAG[31] 7.62×51mm General-purpose machine gun  Belgium
AA-52[31] 7.62×51mm General-purpose machine gun  France
Surface-to-air missiles
9K32 Strela-2 72mm Surface-to-air missile  Soviet Union 18[4]
Rocket propelled grenade launchers
RPG-7[31] 40mm Rocket-propelled grenade  Soviet Union

Aircraft inventory

The Defence force air wing was formed in 1968 and was then renamed the Guyana Defence force air command in 1973. Seven Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander were delivered over a five-year period in the 1970s and then were supplemented by Short Skyvans series 3Ms in 1979. In 1986 3 Mil Mi-8 were delivered. The GDF currently operates 24 fixed-wing aircraft and 24 helicopters. 2 Do-228 aircraft for Guyana Defence Force (GDF) – Air Corps was ordered from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.[33]

Current inventory

Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Transport
BN-2 Islander  United Kingdom utility 2[34]
Cessna 206  United States utility 1[4]
Dornier 228  India utility 2 on order[35]
Short Skyvan  United States utility 3[34]
Super King Air  United States VIP transport 350 1[36]
Harbin Y-12  China utility 1[4]
Helicopters
Bell 206  United States utility 2[34]
Bell 412  United States utility 2 1 unit crashed on 6 December 2023 in the Esequibo region

Retired aircraft

Previous notable aircraft operated by the Air Wing were the Cessna 182, Cessna 206, Embraer EMB 110, Helio Courier, Aérospatiale Alouette III, Bell 212, and the Mil Mi-8.[37]

Coast Guard

The Peregrine, a Metal Shark small patrol boat of the Guyana Coast Guard
  • Metal Shark Boats patrol boats — (5) 28-foot Relentless, and (2) 38-foot Defiant.[38] The first three of the aluminum-hulled 28-foot boats were donated by the United States in March 2014.[39][40] In March 2017, two of the 38-foot boats were acquired.[38][41]
  • Metal Shark Boats offshore patrol vessel — one on order, scheduled for delivery in 2022.[42][27]

References

  1. ↑ GDF. "Where it all began". www.gdf.mil.gy.
  2. ↑ DeRouen, Karl R. (2005). Defense and Security: A Compendium of National Armed Forces and Security Policies. ABC-CLIO. p. 116. ISBN 9781851097814.
  3. ↑ "GDF".
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Roblin, Sébastien (15 December 2023). "Can the Guyana Defense Force Resist a Venezuelan Invasion?". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  5. ↑ "South America: Guyana". The World Factbook. CIA. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  6. ↑ "3 soldiers killed in explosion at Guyana military base – CityNews Toronto". toronto.citynews.ca. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  7. ↑ "Guyana Defence Force". Global Security.
  8. 1 2 Granger, David (2009-02-15). "The defence of the New River, 1967–1969". Stabroek News. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  9. ↑ Ishmael, Odeen (2013). The Trail of Diplomacy: The Guyana-Venezuela Border Issue. ISBN 9781493126552.
  10. ↑ Braveboy-Wagner, Jacqueline Anne (2019). "SECOND PERIOD 1966-1970". The Venezuela-Guyana Border Dispute: Britain's Colonial Legacy In Latin America. Routledge. ISBN 9781000306897.
  11. ↑ Ishmael, Odeen (2013). The Trail of Diplomacy: The Guyana-Venezuela Border Issue. ISBN 9781493126552.
  12. ↑ Braveboy-Wagner, Jacqueline Anne (2019). "SECOND PERIOD 1966-1970". The Venezuela-Guyana Border Dispute: Britain's Colonial Legacy In Latin America. Routledge. ISBN 9781000306897.
  13. ↑ GONZÁLEZ, Pedro. La Reclamación de la Guayana Esequiba. Caracas: Miguel A. García e hijo S.R.L. 1991.
  14. ↑ "Guyana: De Rupununi a La Haya". En El Tapete (in Spanish). 4 July 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
  15. ↑ Ishmael, Odeen (2013). The Trail of Diplomacy: The Guyana-Venezuela Border Issue. ISBN 9781493126552.
  16. ↑ "Guyana: De Rupununi a La Haya". En El Tapete (in Spanish). 4 July 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
  17. ↑ Kretchik, Walter E.; Baumann, Robert F.; Fishel, John T. (1998). Invasion, Intervention, "Intervasion": A Concise History of the U.S. Army in Operation Uphold Democracy (PDF). United States Army Command and General Staff College.
  18. ↑ "U.S. Army, Guyana Defence Forces Strengthen Military Partnership". U.S. Embassy Guyana. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  19. ↑ Hernández, Osmary; Almánzar, Fernando; Alberti, Mia (December 2023). "Venezuela's president orders creation of new state and map including land from Guyana". Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  20. ↑ "1st Infantry Battalion". GDF.
  21. ↑ "About Band Corps". GDF. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  22. ↑ "History of Band Corps". GDF. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  23. ↑ "About Medical Corps". GDF. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). The Military Balance 2023 (1st ed.). Routledge. pp. 402–403. ISBN 978-1032508955.
  25. ↑ "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2015-01-01.
  26. ↑ "Four US boats for Coast Guard to arrive by Monday", Stabroek News, 2001-06-02, archived from the original on 2022-01-05, retrieved 2022-05-01 – via 44ft Motor Lifeboats
  27. 1 2 Belgrave, Shervin (2021-06-15), "Govt. paying US company US$11.5M for boat to protect Guyana from invasion, piracy", Kaieteur News, archived from the original on 2022-05-01, retrieved 2022-05-01
  28. ↑ "Guyana buys US$11.5M boat to protect Exxon's operations". Kaieteur News. 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  29. ↑ Lawford, Clive, "U.S. Coast Guard 44350 – 44409", 44ft Motor Lifeboats, archived from the original on 2022-01-05, retrieved 2022-05-01
  30. ↑ Bravo, Douglas (2023-11-12). "Guardia Costera de Guyana recibe un OPV 115 Defiant de Metal Shark - Noticias Defensa Centro América". Defensa.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Jones, Richard D., ed. (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 (35th ed.). Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  32. 1 2 "Gallery – GDF". Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  33. ↑ Herk, Hans van (29 January 2023). "Indian Do228s for Guyana". www.scramble.nl. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  34. 1 2 3 "World Air Forces 2023". Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  35. ↑ Herk, Hans van (29 January 2023). "Indian Do228s for Guyana". www.scramble.nl. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
  36. ↑ "New aircraft for the Guyana Defence Force". Scramble – Dutch Aviation Society. 9 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  37. ↑ "All-Time Aircraft Used List Guyana Defence Force". Aeroflight. 27 February 2017.
  38. 1 2 Henry, Zena (2017-03-30), "GDF gets new patrol boats", Guyana Chronicle, archived from the original on 2017-03-30, retrieved 2022-05-01
  39. ↑ "GDF gets three patrol boats from U.S valued $340M", Guyana Chronicle, 2014-03-21, archived from the original on 2019-10-08, retrieved 2021-10-15
  40. ↑ "US 'Shark' boats to aid drug fight", Stabroek News, 2014-03-22, retrieved 2022-05-01
  41. ↑ Khatoon, Bibi (2017-03-29), "GDF boosted with approximately $300M boat purchases", News Room Guyana, archived from the original on 2017-04-01, retrieved 2022-05-01
  42. ↑ Chabrol, Denis (2021-06-14), "Guyana purchases US$11.5 million "purpose-built" Coast Guard vessel", Demerara Waves, archived from the original on 2021-06-14, retrieved 2022-05-01
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