GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—On Sunday night, Guyana received two Indian-made Dornier aircraft for its Defence Force (GDF).
President Irfaan Ali posted pictures on his Facebook page, showing the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Dornier 228 planes arriving at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport aboard two Boeing C-17 Globemaster military transport planes.
The arrival of the two Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft followed the March 15, 2024, signing of a US$23.27 million loan agreement between the Ministry of Finance and India’s Export-Import Bank of India for financing the purchase.
The HAL 228 planes are said to be ideal for STOLs on Guyana’s terrain. They would be used for maritime patrols, resupply of military bases, and troop movement to interior locations.
Last month, India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. Amit Telang, said the Line of Credit (LOC) Agreement is the first-ever defense LOC signed with the Caribbean region.
Guyana and India established diplomatic relations on May 26, 1966.