This week Metal Shark company in the US hosted members of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) for the launch of the GDF’s new Metal Shark 115 Defiant patrol vessel “GDFS Berbice,” (1039).

Designed by Metal Shark’s in-house engineering team and built at the company’s Franklin, Louisiana production facility, the new 115 Defiant is being acquired via direct purchase. Upon completion the new craft will join eight other Metal Shark vessels currently in service with the GDF.

“From the heart of America’s energy corridor right here in Louisiana, USA, we’ve created this next-generation, purpose-built patrol craft,” said Metal Shark CEO Chris Allard. “This new 115 Defiant will help to protect Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas industry and the far-reaching interests supporting its development, many of them right here at home. We believe this formidable, American-made patrol craft will be a game-changer for regional security. It is already generating significant interest from naval forces across the Caribbean basin and throughout Latin America.”
Guyana is bolstering its military capacity in face of Venezuela’s aggression towards the country.

The Government of Guyana has since informed several of its international partners, Caricom, OAS and others about the current situation. On Monday the a special Sitting of the National Assembly was held. A unanimous position was taken against Venezuela’s aggression.