THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is likely to receive two additional planes to add to its fleet and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said that the government is interested in acquiring Skyvans and is in the process of inspecting them.

“I know that we are looking to acquire Skyvans and we are in the process of inspecting them,” Harmon told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday. Since the equipment is still being inspected, the Minister said no date has been given yet as to when the craft would be available to the military. The government has, however, given its commitment to strengthen the country’s border regions and boost their abilities by providing the requisite equipment.

This newspaper was told that the army itself continues to express interest in building its fleet by accessing helicopters also. While Minister Harmon said he could only speak to the Skyvans, GDF sources confirmed that talks have surfaced about the possible acquisition of at least two helicopters outside of fixed-wing aircraft.

The Short SC.7 Skyvan is a British 19-seat twin-turboprop aircraft. The high wing, twin-engine carrier has always been pegged as an ideal craft for Guyana given its STOL– Short Takeoff and Landing abilities –which will suit the country’s short interior airstrips. The GDF had been operating two helicopters–the GDF One and GDF Two–while problems would be experienced occasionally with its Bell 412 helicopter. The GDF’s fleet had also included another 1960s British-made Skyvan with several years of operation.

A “corroding” Chinese Harbin Y-12 and a single-engine Cessna 206 seized during a drug raid was also in the mix. Last year, the army had requested funding for the acquisition of additional rotor wing aircraft, models with capabilities said to be significantly advanced, as compared to the Bell 206 helicopters on the army’s roster. The GDF has been fortunate, however, in receiving several pieces of equipment from the Chinese and other foreign associates.