BASSETERRE — The St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force is moving ahead with plans to establish its own Air Guard unit, incorporate new offshore and inshore patrol vessels, and expand its coastal radar network, as the Federation moves to strengthen its maritime security amid rising activity in the region’s waters.
Acting Commander of the Defence Force, Major Kayode Sutton, revealed the plans in a recent interview, saying the moves stem from an internal assessment he presented to the government shortly after taking command.
“When I took command of the Defence Force, there were a number of, I did an assessment and also presented to the government what we will require to be able to function effectively,” Major Sutton said.
Among the most pressing needs identified was a replacement for the Coast Guard’s aging vessel, Stalwart, which Major Sutton says has served its time and is no longer functioning. The government, he confirmed, is already in the process of acquiring a larger Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) to fill that gap.
In addition, the Defence Force expects to take delivery of two new, smaller vessels before the end of this year, likely by October, with a further two vessels expected sometime next year.
“All these are added capabilities to help us to deal with the increased activities that is taking place in the Federation,” Major Sutton explained, noting heightened maritime activity across the country’s waters.
The Defence Force has also brought coastal radar systems online, giving it the ability to monitor coastal areas more effectively. Major Sutton said the government continues to invest in additional, unspecified assets to support what he described as maritime domain awareness, though he stopped short of detailing every capability currently available.
“The government is making an enormous effort to ensure that we get what we need to monitor our borders effectively,” he said.
In one of the more notable developments, Major Sutton confirmed the Defence Force is now working toward establishing its own Air Guard unit. Rather than acquiring aircraft in the traditional sense, the unit’s initial focus will be on unmanned aerial capabilities that can support surveillance across the Federation’s coastline.
According to Major Sutton, the aim is to move toward more targeted, intelligence-led operations rather than routine patrols that rely on chance encounters at sea. Aerial assets, he explained, would be able to survey coastal areas or assess a developing situation on the water, allowing the Defence Force to determine whether a full response is required before committing vessels and personnel.
“Our operations will be targeted, not just patrolling and hoping that you run into something,” he said. “So we become more effective, and there will be higher yields to our operations.”
While the new capabilities are phased in, Major Sutton said the Defence Force continues to maintain and rely on its existing fleet.
“We have been doing all that we can with the old vessels that we have to keep them active, to keep them serviceable, to serve us until we get something better,” he said.
Taken together, the upgrades mark one of the more substantial modernization pushes for the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force in recent years, positioning the Federation to better respond to evolving maritime security challenges in the wider region.