Bahamas Defence Force receives new radar from US NORTHCOM

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) has received a USD2.4 million radar from US Northern Command (NORTHCOM) to improve maritime security operations. Delivered on 28 October, the radar, known as a Maritime Surveillance System (MSS), is located in Coral Harbour Base, New Providence, according to a press release by the US embassy in the Bahamas.

The US is providing a package worth over USD10 million to improve maritime security in the Bahamas. This is the second MSS radar the RBDF has received. The first system, delivered in 2019, is located in Inagua Island. The third and fourth systems have been proposed for Ragged Island and Great Exuma, according to the US embassy. The different locations of the radars “aligns with the Commander Defence Force's strategic objective to build on and decentralise the Force's operations”, the RBDF said in a statement.

During the transfer ceremony, General Glen VanHerck, NORTHCOM commander, said, “This maritime domain awareness capability will dramatically expand the Royal Bahamas Defence Force's ability to detect, localise, and track vessels in the waters surrounding their nation.”

NORTHCOM and the RBDF have not disclosed the model of the radars.