Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips on Sunday participated in the commissioning ceremony for two additions to the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF’s) Air Corps Fleet. The two Dornier HAL-228-201, purchased from India earlier this year, were officially commissioned today at Air Station London, Timehri.
Delivering remarks Phillips described the commissioning as part of a larger vision by the Government to transform the GDF into a modern, versatile institution capable of addressing an evolving range of challenges.
Reflecting on the commissioning and collaboration, Phillips said the moment is significant as it coincides with a major strategic milestone in the partnership between Guyana and India. India Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will be in Guyana on a State visit from November 19-21.
The ceremony was attended by the Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill; National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia; High Commissioner of India to Guyana, HE Dr Amit Telang; Chief of Defence Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan; Heads of the Joint Services; senior GDF officers; representatives of the civil aviation authority; and representatives of the aircraft’s manufacturers, the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
