Trinidad and Tobago will receive the much discussed Cape Class patrol vessels in the later half of 2020 to bolster coastal patrol capacities and surveillance.
Australian shipbuilders, Austal has officially signed a US$85 million contract with Trinidad and Tobago to construct two Cape Class patrol boats (CCPB).
Much has been said about Trinidad and Tobago’s porous borders and significant drug trafficking and illegal gun issues which experts suggest is as a result of open maritime borders.
The decision to procure the vessels from Austal was announced after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley led a delegation to Australia in May 2018.
The vessels have a 4,000 nautical mile range and a 28-day patrol cycle with a crew of up to 22 people, and is fitted with two high-speed rigid hull inflatable boats used for intercepting other craft.
National Security Minister Stuart Young is on record saying this is necessary if we are to succeed in protecting our boarders.
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