Guyana Defence Force

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.

In January 1969, the GDF faced their first test when the Rupununi Uprising, a bloody separatist movement in southern Guyana, attempted to annex the territory to Venezuela that was contained 3 days later with a balance of between 70 and 100 dead.

In August 1969 the GDF launch a surprise attack code name Operation Climax to remove Suriname military personnel from the New River Triangle. The operation was executed with maximum precision and the Suriname ultimate decision was a hasty withdrawal. To date, this operation remains one of the most successful ventures of the Force.[7]

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, which numbers around 3,000 reservists) and formerly the Guyana National Service (disbanded in 2000) and the Guyana People's Militia.

• 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.

GDF Force Colour

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

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[18]

The Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard is the naval component of the Guyana Defence Force.

• 1 150 DEFIANT metal shark boat on order[23]

• 1 River-class minesweeper — Acquired from the United Kingdom around August 2001.[24] GDFS Essequibo is ex-Royal Navy Orwell (M2011). The ship is considered in unserviceable condition, as of 2022.[25][26]
• 4 T-44 patrol boats — Ex-United States Coast Guard motor lifeboats acquired from the United States around June 2001.[24][27] 18 tons full load.
• 7 Metal Shark Boats patrol boats — 5 28-foot, and 2 38-foot.[28] The first 3 of the aluminum-hulled 28-foot boats were donated by the United States in March 2014.[29][30] In March 2017, 2 of the 38-foot boats were acquired.[28][31]
• 1 Metal Shark Boats offshore patrol vessel — 1 on order, scheduled for delivery in 2022.[25][26]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Military of Guyana.

• Official website