Guyana Defence Force

The nation of Guyana became independent in the 1960s, before that defense was the responsibility of the United Kingdom. A modest defense force for small country, is back-dropped by alliances with major regional players including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. Guyanese forces participated in the multinational 1994 mission to Hati.

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.{{Cite news |last=Granger |first=David |date=2009-02-15 |title=The defence of the New River, 1967–1969 |work=Stabroek News |url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/02/15/features/the-defence-of-the-new-river-1967-1969/ |access-date=2023-12-01}}

On January 2, 1969, the Rupununi uprising by native Pemon and Wapishana led by Valerie Hart, with reported support from Venezuela, 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.{{Cite book |last=Ishmael |first=Odeen |title=The Trail of Diplomacy: The Guyana-Venezuela Border Issue |year=2013 |publisher=Odeen Ishmael |isbn=9781493126552}} The rebels locked townsfolk in their homes, blocked airstrips in the area, and took Guyanese government officials into their custody.{{Cite book |last=Braveboy-Wagner |first=Jacqueline Anne |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KgeiDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT102 |title=The Venezuela-Guyana Border Dispute: Britain's Colonial Legacy In Latin America |publisher=Routledge |year=2019 |isbn=9781000306897 |chapter=SECOND PERIOD 1966-1970}} 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.GONZÁLEZ, Pedro. La Reclamación de la Guayana Esequiba. Caracas: Miguel A. García e hijo S.R.L. 1991. 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.{{Cite web |date=4 July 2020 |title=Guyana: De Rupununi a La Haya |url=https://www.eneltapete.com/historia/1407/guyana-de-rupununi-a-la-haya |access-date=2021-03-13 |website=En El Tapete |language=es}}

File:Chief of Staff Omar Khan.jpg

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, 1969 against the camp and airstrip, resulting in the expulsion of Surinamese forces from the area.

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.{{Cite book |last1=Kretchik |first1=Walter E. |url=https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/kretchikw.pdf |title=Invasion, Intervention, "Intervasion": A Concise History of the U.S. Army in Operation Uphold Democracy |last2=Baumann |first2=Robert F. |last3=Fishel |first3=John T. |publisher=United States Army Command and General Staff College |year=1998}}

File:US Navy 081111-N-3595W-103 Lt. Cmdr. Nathan Uebelhoer and a member of the Guyana Defense Force, work together unloading medical supplies.jpg

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.{{cite web |title=U.S. Army, Guyana Defence Forces Strengthen Military Partnership |url=https://gy.usembassy.gov/u-s-army-guyana-defence-forces-strengthen-military-partnership/ |website=U.S. Embassy Guyana |date=28 November 2023 |access-date=7 December 2023}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Hernández |first1=Osmary |last2=Almánzar |first2=Fernando |last3=Alberti |first3=Mia |title=Venezuela's president orders creation of new state and map including land from Guyana |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/06/americas/venezuelas-president-orders-creation-of-new-state-and-map-including-land-from-guyana/index.html |access-date=7 December 2023 |date=December 2023}} 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.

In the 2020s a major shift took place, the percent of GDP of defense decreased but there was a big increase in overall budget due to changes GDP.{{Cite web |title=World Bank Open Data |url=https://data.worldbank.org/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=World Bank Open Data}} From 1990 to 2020, non-inflation adjusted currency the defense increased went from 142 thousand to 16 billion.

In early 2024, a plan was announced to procure more helicopters, a maritime defense vessel, and a drone.{{Cite web |last=Saballa |first=Joe |date=2024-02-13 |title=Guyana Wants New Choppers, Drones as Venezuela Tensions Soar |url=https://www.thedefensepost.com/2024/02/13/guyana-military-choppers-drones/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=The Defense Post |language=en-us}}

File:A member of the Guyana special operations forces team competes in the rifle qualification event for Fuerzas Comando 2012 June 7, 2012, at the Colombian National Training Center in Tolomaida, Colombia 120607-A-WK843-286.jpg

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.

File:GDF Coast Guard flag (variant).svg

File:GDF Air Corps.svg

• 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

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.{{cite web |title=1st Infantry Battalion | publisher = GDF |url= https://www.gdf.mil.gy/1st-infantry-batallion/ }}

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

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.{{cite web |title=About Band Corps |url= http://www.gdf.mil.gy/index.php/units/band-corps/about-band-corps.html |website=GDF |access-date=26 April 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180313024430/http://www.gdf.mil.gy/index.php/units/band-corps/about-band-corps.html |archive-date=13 March 2018 |url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web |title=History of Band Corps |url= http://www.gdf.mil.gy/index.php/units/band-corps/history-of-band-corps.html |website=GDF |access-date=26 April 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171111205253/http://www.gdf.mil.gy/index.php/units/band-corps/history-of-band-corps.html |archive-date=11 November 2017 |url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web |title=About Medical Corps |url = http://www.gdf.mil.gy/index.php/units/medical-corps/about-medical-corps.html |website=GDF |access-date=26 April 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171108202831/http://www.gdf.mil.gy/index.php/units/medical-corps/about-medical-corps.html |archive-date=8 November 2017 |url-status=dead}}

{{main|Chief of Defence Staff (Guyana)}}

Much of the equipment belonging to Guyana are Cold War era weapons, with some World War II armaments still supplied. 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.{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2023 |date=15 February 2023 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1032508955 |edition=1st |pages=402–403 |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies}}

File:Do228NG - RIAT 2012 (18649688613).jpg

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 8 fixed-wing aircraft and 2 helicopters. Recently, the GDF had ordered two Dornier Do-228 aircraft from Indian Manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, which were delivered on 1 April 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-01 |title=India delivers two Dorniers to Guyana; New partnership begins |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-india-delivers-two-dorniers-to-guyana-new-partnership-begins-3443244/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Herk |first=Hans van |title=Indian Do228s for Guyana |url=https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/indian-do228s-for-guyana |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=www.scramble.nl |date=29 January 2023 |language=en-GB}}

In early 2024, a plan was announced to among other things to buy some new helicopters. One crashed in 2023, which, because only a few helicopters are operated represented a significant loss.

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/user/every/guyana-df-all-time-aircraft-list.htm |title=All-Time Aircraft Used List Guyana Defence Force |date=27 February 2017 |publisher=Aeroflight}}

File:Guyana Coast Guard - Peregrine.jpg small patrol boat of the Guyana Coast Guard]]The maritime branch was founded January 9, 1967, with the Guyanese Coast Guard founded in 1990, before this they were called the Buccaneers. Various light vessels were built or used through the 1970s and 80s, especially for customs, maritime, fisheries, and river patrol.{{Cite web |title=Coast Guard History – GDF |url=https://www.gdf.mil.gy/coast-guard/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |language=en-US}}

• Metal Shark Boats patrol boats — (5) 28-foot Relentless, and (2) 38-foot Defiant.{{Citation|author1-first =Zena|author1-last=Henry|title=GDF gets new patrol boats|work= Guyana Chronicle |date=2017-03-30|url = https://guyanachronicle.com/2017/03/30/gdf-gets-new-patrol-boats-president-says-govt-will-provide-assets-to-suppress-illegal-activities/|access-date=2022-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330093929/https://guyanachronicle.com/2017/03/30/gdf-gets-new-patrol-boats-president-says-govt-will-provide-assets-to-suppress-illegal-activities/ |archive-date=2017-03-30|url-status=live}} The first three of the aluminum-hulled 28-foot boats were donated by the United States in March 2014.{{Citation|title= GDF gets three patrol boats from U.S valued $340M|work=Guyana Chronicle |date=2014-03-21|url=https://guyanachronicle.com/2014/03/21/gdf-gets-three-patrol-boats-from-u-s-valued-340m/|access-date=2021-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008140924/https://guyanachronicle.com/2014/03/21/gdf-gets-three-patrol-boats-from-u-s-valued-340m/|archive-date=2019-10-08 |url-status=live}}{{Citation|title=US 'Shark' boats to aid drug fight|work= Stabroek News |date =2014-03-22 |url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/03/22/news/guyana/us-shark-boats-aid-drug-fight/|access-date=2022-05-01}} In March 2017, two of the 38-foot boats were acquired.{{Citation|author1-first=Bibi|author1-last= Khatoon|title=GDF boosted with approximately $300M boat purchases|work=News Room Guyana |date= 2017-03-29|url=https://newsroom.gy/2017/03/29/gdf-marine-wing-boosted-with-almost-300m-boat-purchases/ |access-date=2022-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401052106/https://newsroom.gy/2017/03/29/gdf-marine-wing-boosted-with-almost-300m-boat-purchases/ |archive-date=2017-04-01|url-status=live}}
• Metal Shark Boats offshore patrol vessel — one on order, scheduled for delivery in 2022.{{Citation |title=Guyana purchases US$11.5 million "purpose-built" Coast Guard vessel |date=2021-06-14 |url=https://demerarawaves.com/2021/06/14/guyana-purchases-us11-5-million-purpose-built-coast-guard-vessel/ |work=Demerara Waves |access-date=2022-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614215710/https://demerarawaves.com/2021/06/14/guyana-purchases-us11-5-million-purpose-built-coast-guard-vessel/ |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-06-14 |author1-first=Denis |author1-last=Chabrol}}

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• {{Official website|http://www.gdf.mil.gy/}}

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Category:Military units and formations established in 1965

Category:Guyana–Venezuela crisis (2023–present)