$2mil long range radar system commissioned at RBDF Inagua Base

$2mil long range radar system commissioned at RBDF Inagua Base
A $2 million-dollar long range coastal radar was commissioned at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Inagua base on Wednesday. The new equipment is expected to enhance the detection of illicit activity within the country’s maritime domain.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A multi-million-dollar technology upgrade at the Matthew Town, Inagua Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) base yesterday is expected to enhance monitoring and provide better protection against illegal migration, illicit drugs, gun trafficking, poaching, human trafficking and other threats to national security.

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis officially commissioned a $2 million dollar, state-of-the-art, Long-Range Coastal Radar on Wednesday afternoon.

The new equipment was made available to The Bahamas by the Government of The United States of America (USA) through the U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas.

The prime minister was joined by his Cabinet, Tellis Bethel, RBDF Commodore; Stephanie Bowers, U.S. Charge D’Affaires; officials from the US Coast Guard and other government officials were on hand for yesterday’s official commissioning ceremony.

“Great Inagua is the first island in our archipelago to receive this state-of-the art coastal radar system,” revealed the prime minister.

“A second radar will be erected on New Providence and there are plans for two more of these radar systems.”

In addition to these technological advancements, the RBDF continues its efforts to decentralize its operations, according to national security minister Marvin Dames.

He revealed that the RBDF Inagua base will be expanded and that a new base will be constructed at Ragged Island as well.

“To ensure that the entire base at Inagua is brought up to standard and to compliment this new technology, contracts were signed totaling $573 million dollars with three construction companies on the island for the rebuilding of new units,” Dames said.

“The new structure will include a sick bay, detention centre and a mechanical building.

“The total proposed projected capitalization and development including the decentralization program over the next three budget cycles is expected to cost approximately $133 million dollars.”

Both bases, in Inagua and Ragged Island, will be equipped with various detection and tracking technologies, according to Dames.

Last week, Cabinet approved a proposal to implement a Bahamas Unmanned Aerial System that will be managed by the RBDF.

This drone program includes immediate surveillance capabilities, as well as training in drones, the purchasing of drones and the development of a drone academy and workshop.

“This new capability will enhance national security and may be utilized by all of the uniformed branches to combat crime, illegal migration and other national security threats,” the prime minister said.

Government touts that all of these technological and infrastructure upgrades will enhance national security.

 

 

 

About Theo Sealy

Theo Sealy is an award-winning journalist who serves as senior broadcast reporter and weekend TV news anchor at Eyewitness News. He has achieved several career milestones, including his work as a field contributor with CNN, his coverage of four consecutive general elections, his production of several docuseries and his Bahamas Press Club Awards win for “Best Television News Story” in 2018.