Guyana in dialogue with Bell to procure four new helicopters – Jagdeo
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday announced that the Government of Guyana is currently in conversation with Bell to procure four new helicopters in its bid to strengthen the country’s defences.
Bell Textron Inc. is an American aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. A subsidiary of Textron, Bell manufactures military rotorcraft at facilities in Fort Worth, and Amarillo, Texas, USA as well as commercial helicopters in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada.
Jagdeo while speaking at a press conference at the Office of the President was asked to expand more on the government’s efforts to strengthen Guyana’s army. He said, “I can say to you we are in discussion with Bell for the purchase of four smaller helicopters.”
According to the Vice President, these helicopters are expected to not only assist the army but also the police “in training and also policing because they will be equipped with a whole range, infrared technology, etc, the police would also have a greater capacity.”
He disclosed, that he was a part of a conversation where they were told that the smaller helicopters have lower operating costs and can be better used to train pilots.
“The smaller ones, significantly, the cost is a fraction of the larger ones so the pilots could be trained here too, a lot of training, as well as the security aspect of it, they can be equipped to enhance security.”
On 6 December 2023, Guyana’s brand new Bell 412EP helicopter operated by the GDF crashed killing five out of the seven people who were on board, and Jagdeo yesterday disclosed that an assessment is ongoing as to whether they will repurchase the Bell 412 or another model.
Meanwhile, Jagdeo yesterday also reminded that they have a line of credit with India and are exploring maritime assets “to ensure that we better police our Exclusive Economic Zone.”
Pointing to strengthening the army’s defence capacity, Jagdeo said, “These are just some elements of it but generally it’s to better equip our security forces.”
Jagdeo last week said that the government is working on a biometric project that will allow the authorities to use facial recognition software to track people with criminal records and pinpoint their exact location at any given time.
As such he said the new Brickdam Police Station which is being built will assist in bolstering the country’s security plan.
Use of facial recognition software globally has attracted grave concerns that it could result in a breach of privacy and be abused if in the control of unaccountable authorities.