Jamaica Defence Force Acquires Additional Armoured Vehicles

The county’s security capabilities have been significantly strengthened with the addition of six new armoured vehicles to the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) fleet.

Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, commissioned the Thales Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles (BPMV) into service during a ceremony at the JDF’s headquarters, Up Park Camp, Kingston, on Monday (February 21).

Manufactured by Thales Australia, the Bushmaster or infantry mobility vehicle is an 11-tonne four-wheel-drive unit designed to protect up to 10 occupants in extreme and hostile environments.

The six vehicles comprise three troop carrier variants that provide secured transportation for soldiers and three ambulance variants that will enable the occupants to evacuate and treat personnel sustaining injuries, under armoured protection.

They bring the total number of troop carrier variants to 15 and the overall complement of Thales-manufactured PMVs in the JDF’s fleet to 18.

Prime Minister Holness said the Government remains committed to making the financial investments in Jamaica’s security assets and ensuring “a balanced use of resources across all our security forces”.

He pointed out that investing in the JDF is equivalent to doing likewise in all areas of Jamaica’s security framework, noting that the organisation plays a supporting role in all aspects of the country’s safety.

“In building out the capacity of the JDF, you’re building out the capacity of your border security; you’re building out the capacity for your internal security; you’re building out your capacity for disaster response; you’re building out your capacity for managing your airspace [and] you’re building out capacity for managing your cyberspace,” he asserted.

Mr. Holness noted that contrary to the perception that soldiers are “ensconced at Up Park Camp and not in the field,” the reality is that the JDF personnel are “fully utilised” and stretched right across Jamaica, carrying out various functions.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the Government has a duty to provide soldiers with equipment, such as protected vehicles, to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness in executing their duties.

He pointed out that the Administration’s intention is to ensure that the JDF is fit for purpose so it can respond to current and future challenges.

“These vehicles will add significant capacity to our disaster response capabilities; they also give [the JDF] increased visibility and presence in communities that are now challenged with high violence and crime,” he said.

Mr. Holness added that these “multifunctional assets” will aid in medical evacuation, disaster preparedness and response, training, and border security.

He further noted that they will help to support the operations of the recently established joint anti-gang task force of the JCF and JDF.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, who welcomed the provisions, said the increased fleet of PMVs will improve the flexibility of the troops on the ground as they conduct operational activities islandwide.

“As we continue our efforts to support the JCF in internal security operations, these PMVs will serve to improve our operational efficiency and effectiveness islandwide,” she said.

The CDS thanked Prime Minister Holness and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, for their continued support to the JDF’s ongoing strategic transformation.

In his remarks, Thales Australia’s Programme Manager for International Support Vehicles and Tactical Systems/Protected Vehicles, Ron Van Der Doorn, said the company values its lasting relationship with the Government of Jamaica, which is now approaching 10 years of support.

He pointed out that the partnership, which commenced in 2012, saw the delivery of an initial 12 Bushmaster infantry mobility troop vehicles to the JDF.

Following this, a vehicle support contract was entered into which extends to 2024 and supports the latest delivery of “prominent and reliable vehicles” Mr. Van Der Doorn said.

“Thales looks forward to the ongoing relationship with the JDF, be it with the provision of additional infantry mobility vehicle platforms, product improvement, or with training and upskilling of the JDF’s soldiers,” he said.