The Belize Coast Guard launched a drone squadron to improve its maritime and land security, as well as its narcotics interdiction capabilities. The squadron is made up of Perimeter 8+ unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), acquired with the help of the United States through California-based military robotics firm Skyfront, the Belize government said.
“The use of drones allows the Coast Guard to patrol remote or difficult-to-access areas without the need to send vessels or personnel to the theater, optimizing coverage of large areas with fewer resources and locating specific and strategic locations,” Mario Sánchez, a security specialist and director of the intelligence consulting agency Strattia in Mexico, told Diálogo on October 15. “The use of drones for surveillance or narcotics interdiction operations reduces the direct exposure of personnel in potentially dangerous situations, such as confrontations with criminal organizations or adverse maritime conditions.”
“The establishment of the Drone Squadron marks a monumental step for the development of the Belize Coast Guard,” Belize Prime Minister Juan Antonio Briceño told reporters during the delivery of the UAVs on August 28. “It’s a step that will strengthen our nation’s commitment to safeguarding our precious marine resources for the benefit of all Belizeans, now and in the future.”
The hybrid military drones are equipped with engines that use fuel and electricity, with a flight range of five hours, a range of 180 kilometers and an altitude of 4,000 meters, Caribbean News Global reported.
The UAVs also have infrared stabilizing cameras, capable of making thermal observations that facilitate night missions, described the local digital media Breaking Belize News.
“Being equipped with infrared cameras and long-range lenses, it allows the observation of body heat and the capture of visible images at long range,” Sánchez added. “This capability is crucial for conducting surveillance, search and rescue, and narcotics interdiction operations in low visibility conditions.”
The Belize Coast Guard is a specialized force for maritime law enforcement, protection of natural resources, safety operations at sea, and enforcement of fisheries laws and protection of its territorial sea, continental shelf, exclusive economic zones, and fishing zones, weekly newspaper The San Pedro Sun reported.
“Imagine a Coast Guard search and rescue unit deployed to locate a vessel in distress or a person in the water,” Admiral Elton Bennett, commander of the Belize Coast Guard, told channel 7 News Belize. “These drones will be able to support maneuvers from the air, identifying exactly where the vessel or person in distress is and deliver a payload of approximately 10 kilograms, whether it’s equipment, life jackets, or medical care, before [our personnel] can arrive on scene.”
This cooperation with the United States enhances the fight against transnational criminal threats and improves border security tasks, which are carried out by the Joint Intelligence Operations Center, the Coast Guard, and the Belize Defense Force, local television station Channel 5 reported.
The UAV Squadron is valued at $260,000 and was acquired under the Government Strategic Allocation program, from the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future, local digital news site Belizean reported.
“The use of drones such as the Perimeter 8+ by the Belize Coast Guard represents a significant improvement in the operational capabilities of the security forces,” Sánchez said. “The integration of other technologies such as radars and reconnaissance systems, can significantly optimize these devices’ capabilities during specific operations.”
Continued cooperation
The United States remains committed to improving security cooperation in the region. For this reason, it carries out various joint activities and donates equipment to strengthen local capabilities.
On September 17, a team from U.S. Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH), with support from U.S. Joint Task Force Bravo (JTF-Bravo), completed three weeks of intensive training with Belizean authorities such as the Belize Defense Force, Coast Guard, and Police Department. The training also enhanced the U.S. military’s ability to integrate with its Belizean partners in the fight against narcotics proliferation in that country.
On the other hand, in June, the U.S. Embassy in Belize, through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and U.S. Southern Command, delivered vehicle maintenance computer equipment, a bomb suit, and boat engines, all worth $616,000, which strengthen joint intelligence, interagency collaboration, and intelligence-driven operations, the U.S. Embassy indicated.
