Английская Википедия:Guyana Defence Force
Шаблон:Short description Шаблон:Infobox national military
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is the military of Guyana, established in 1965. It has military bases across the nation.[1] The Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force is always the incumbent President of Guyana.[2]
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.[3]
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.[5] The rebels locked townsfolk in their homes, blocked airstrips in the area, and took Guyanese government officials into their custody.[6][7] 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.[8][9] 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.[10][11][12]
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.[3]
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.[13]
Twenty-first century
On 28 November 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Guyana announced that the United States military (1st SFAB) and the Guyana Defence Force would strengthen their military partnership.[14] 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.[15] 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
- 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.[16]
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.[17] 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.[18]
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.[19]
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.[20]
Armoured fighting vehicles
| Model | Image | Origin | Quantity | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reconnaissance | ||||
| EE-9 Cascavel | Файл:EE-9 Cascavel at Musée des Blindés, Saumur, France (53352496987).jpg | Шаблон:Flag | ~6 | only reported.[20] |
| EE-11 Urutu | Файл:EE-11 Urutu APC (Brazil, Used by Iraq) (10470703866).jpg | Шаблон:Flag | 24[4] | MkIII variant, unknown if functional[4] |
Armoured transport vehicles
| Model | Image | Origin | Quantity | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shorland S52 | Файл:Land rover shorland S51.jpg | Шаблон:Flag | 5[21] | [4] |
Artillery
| Model | Image | Origin | Calibre | Quantity | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Towed | |||||
| M-46 | Файл:130 K 54 Torpin Tykit 1.JPG | Шаблон:Flag | 130mm | ~6 | [20] |
| Multiple rocket systems | |||||
| Type 63 | Файл:H12 Type 63 multiple rocket launcher.JPG | Шаблон:Flag | 107mm | 6 | [4] |
| Mortars | |||||
| L16A1 | Файл:81mmMORT L16.png | Шаблон:Flag | 81mm | ~12 | [20] |
| M-43 | Файл:Zagan 82 mm moździerz wz 37.jpg | Шаблон:Flag | 82mm | ~18 | [20] |
| 120mm | ~18 | [20] | |||
Patrol and coastal combatants
| Model | Image | Origin | Variant | Quantity | Acquired | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCO | ||||||
| GDFS Essequibo | Файл:Image unavailable.png | Шаблон:Flag | River-class minesweeper[20] | ~1 | 2001[22] | Ship in poor condition[4][23][24] |
| Patrol boats | ||||||
| Barracuda | Файл:Old USCG patrol boat.jpg | Шаблон:Flag | 44-foot motor lifeboat | ~4 | 2001[25] | ex-US Type-44.[20] |
| GDFS Berbice | Файл:Image unavailable.png | Шаблон:Flag | 115 Defiant-class patrol vessels | 1 | 2023 | Incorporated in November 2023.[26] |
Small arms
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.[29]
Current inventory
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | |||||
| BN-2 Islander | Шаблон:Flag | utility | 1[30] | ||
| Cessna 206 | Шаблон:Flag | utility | 1[4] | ||
| Dornier 228 | Шаблон:Flag | utility | 2 on order[31] | ||
| Short Skyvan | Шаблон:Flag | utility | 2[30] | ||
| Super King Air | Шаблон:Flag | VIP transport | 350 | 1[32] | |
| Harbin Y-12 | Шаблон:Flag | utility | 1[4] | ||
| Helicopters | |||||
| Bell 206 | Шаблон:Flag | utility | 1[30] | ||
| Bell 412 | Шаблон:Flag | 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.[33]
Coast Guard
- Metal Shark Boats patrol boats — (5) 28-foot Relentless, and (2) 38-foot Defiant.[34] The first three of the aluminum-hulled 28-foot boats were donated by the United States in March 2014.[35][36] In March 2017, two of the 38-foot boats were acquired.[34][37]
- Metal Shark Boats offshore patrol vessel — one on order, scheduled for delivery in 2022.[38][23]
References
External links
Шаблон:Guyana topics Шаблон:Military of South America Шаблон:Coast guards
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ 3,0 3,1 Шаблон:Cite news
- ↑ 4,00 4,01 4,02 4,03 4,04 4,05 4,06 4,07 4,08 4,09 4,10 4,11 Ошибка цитирования Неверный тег
<ref>; для сносокPopMechне указан текст - ↑ Шаблон:Cite book
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite book
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite book
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite book
- ↑ GONZÁLEZ, Pedro. La Reclamación de la Guayana Esequiba. Caracas: Miguel A. García e hijo S.R.L. 1991.
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite book
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite book
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite news
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
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- ↑ 20,0 20,1 20,2 20,3 20,4 20,5 20,6 20,7 Шаблон:Cite book
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
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- ↑ 23,0 23,1 Шаблон:Citation
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- ↑ 27,00 27,01 27,02 27,03 27,04 27,05 27,06 27,07 27,08 27,09 27,10 27,11 27,12 27,13 27,14 Шаблон:Cite book
- ↑ 28,0 28,1 Шаблон:Cite web
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- ↑ 30,0 30,1 30,2 Шаблон:Cite web
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- ↑ 34,0 34,1 Шаблон:Citation
- ↑ Шаблон:Citation
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- ↑ Шаблон:Citation
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