–to enhance technological, strategic capabilities, President Ali says
–stresses need for intelligence-led decision-making to enhance strategic planning, adaptability

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF of the Armed Forces, President Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, unveiled plans for a comprehensive restructuring of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to better incorporate technology, assets, and international partnerships.

His announcement came during the GDF’s Annual Officers’ Conference at Base Camp Ayanganna in Georgetown, under the theme: “Transforming to better confront present and future challenges by enhancing awareness, adaptability, and agility capabilities.”

The President’s address highlighted the necessity for a reorientation and reorganisation within the GDF to adapt to modern demands.

“With the type of assets that we’re investing in, there’ll be structural changes. To whom much is given, much is expected… this conference must address a shift in our asset base that would definitely affect a shift in strategy, a shift in positioning, and then, rework structurally how we adapt to these shifts in ensuring that we remain efficient and reliable,” President Ali explained.

This strategic overhaul, he said, coincides with Guyana’s position on the United Nations (UN) Security Council, raising expectations for the country on a global scale.

“To be clear, Guyana is committed to the principle of non-aggression, but we remain vigilant and militant in the face of all and any threat. We must never be found blinking but ever ready to deter and resist any threat to our country,” President Ali said, outlining the mission of the GDF.

The Head of State said: “We’re strengthening defence cooperation with our friends and allies. And we are intensifying the surveillance of our territory, our borders and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).”
He pointed out that surveillance is not only needed for Guyana’s borders, but that it is necessary to have complete “eyes” on “everything that belongs to Guyana,” especially its EEZ.

“That is what these investments are geared towards, giving us a comprehensive and total understanding of everything that occurs within our borders and our exclusive economic zone,” Dr Ali said.
In support of these strategic objectives, the government has allocated $42.2 billion to the GDF, marking an 85 per cent increase from its previous budget.

This funding is dedicated to bolstering Guyana’s defence capabilities through the procurement of two aircrafts, four helicopters, one long-range drone, and an offshore patrol vessel for the Coast Guard.

The President said that Guyana’s defence strategy is rooted in the “well-being and security of all citizens and respect for national sovereignty.”

“From the time we believe, or we come under the mistaken view that our strategy is rooted in a political directive or in a political [way] we will be doing injustice to the strategy. This strategy is rooted in the people of our country …that requires a different level of understanding of the professionalism that is required because you are rooted to the people of our country,” the President said to the officers.

HEALTHY DEFENCE STRATEGY
The Commander-in-Chief said that one of the things required to keep the defence strategy “healthy” is effectively boosting the technology to meet today’s environment, given the changing nature of defence.

“We cannot operate in today’s environment if we do not adopt the technology that is available before us, especially when we have a small population with such large borders and a small defence force and human asset…,” he said.

Technology, he said, becomes even more critical and important because it will give Guyana the “comparative” and “competitive” advantage.

He pointed out that the government has been investing heavenly in technology and its application, and integration will become more intense.
The President praised the high level of partnership Guyana has received, especially from the United States and other major bilateral partners, which is critical for building Guyana’s defence strategy.

“Synergy is not only investing in assets, but investing in assets and technology that offer a synergy with our partners and our allies. So that we have seamless integration when needed,” he said.
The Head of State explained that this is important for Guyana and its international partners in understanding “cultural gaps” and work ethics.

President Ali highlighted the necessity of investing in the training and development of the human assets within the GDF.
“Education is key, not only a degree or masters. I’m talking about the continuous upskilling of our human resource asset to meet the changing needs, the changing environment, the changing technology, to meet the demands of the changing assets,” he elaborated, advocating for intelligence-led decision-making to enhance strategic planning and adaptability.

He said such investments are crucial for enabling intelligence-led decision-making which empowers the GDF to make forward-looking decisions, enhancing strategic planning and understanding both local and international contexts.

“This allows us to prepare for planning, understanding what is happening around us, and what is happening beyond Guyana,” President Ali related, emphasizing the need for a well-informed military force capable of adapting to evolving global dynamics.

It is for this reason that the reorganising of GDF is vital for “functional efficiency,” and over the next couple of weeks much attention will be placed on this since Guyana will have more assets to protect, Dr Ali said.
Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, echoed the President’s sentiments, noting that the GDF fully embraces the National Defence Policy, focusing on strategic planning and operations.

Despite facing one of the most challenging years with the loss of valued soldiers, the GDF has seen several successes in building strategic relationships and strengthening existing ones under President Ali’s transformative leadership.

He said that the National Defence Strategy has been “most rewarding”, citing that improving GDF’s domain awareness could help it adapt to challenges and optimize the Force’s response to events and other situation.

Some of the tangible outcomes from this, Brigadier Khan said, is the training and capacity building, and the work done with communities and schools.

Brigadier Khan also highlighted the GDF’s commitment to improving service to its members, including housing, counselling, and career advancement opportunities, with 40 per cent of the senior command comprised of women.
This approach, he said, underscores the GDF’s dedication to enhancing its operational excellence and community engagement, with significant emphasis on training and capacity building.