Sturge outlines Coast Guard interceptor plans but withholds number of vessels

Defence Minister Wayne Sturge has told Parliament’s Standing Finance Committee that the Government plans to acquire new interceptor vessels for the Coast Guard in fiscal 2027, while declining to disclose how many it intends to purchase. According to the Trinidad Express, Sturge said $2 million had been allocated for interceptor acquisition. Responding to questions from Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West MP and former prime minister Stuart Young at Wednesday’s meeting, he confirmed that the Coast Guard had not acquired any new interceptors. Young told the committee that the previous administration had begun a process with the United States government and signed an agreement with the US EximBank to finance several interceptors. These are high-speed vessels used for rapid maritime interception and patrol. Sturge said the ministry was reviewing the scope previously submitted and was largely settled on using it. Asked how many vessels the allocation would provide, he said the Government did not consider disclosure to be in the public interest. The discussion also covered support for existing naval assets. The committee was told that $30 million had been allocated for integrated support services for naval assets. Sturge said all Damen assets were serviceable, with one currently in Colombia. For the Cape-class patrol vessels, Young asked how much of the previous fiscal year’s $65 million allocation for integrated logistics support had been spent. Sturge said almost all of it had been used. The ministry proposed a further $42 million for support services covering both vessels over fiscal 2027 and 2028. Separate proposals addressed unmanned aircraft. The Air Guard had been allocated $5 million to establish a military unmanned aerial vehicle unit, including training. Sturge declined to disclose the number of drones being sought, invoking public interest immunity, but said the ministry was seeking systems with demonstrated efficiency. A further $2 million was proposed for Coast Guard unmanned aerial systems. Sturge said specifications had been settled and a note would go to the National Security Council before procurement began. He withheld further capability details on public interest grounds. Shore facilities were also examined. The ministry proposed $20 million to upgrade fresh-water, wastewater, electrical and firefighting systems at Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas. Sturge said Nipdec would undertake the works and that he had been advised procurement had started, although he could not confirm whether advertisements had been issued. Another $10 million was allocated for upgrades to the Coast Guard station at Cedros, which is shared with police, immigration and customs personnel. Sturge said repairs were needed to address major health and safety issues. The committee discussion outlined acquisition and maintenance plans, but left the number of proposed interceptors and drones undisclosed.