New aircraft arrives for B.D.F.

The B.D.F.’s new Defender aircraft finally arrived in Belize on Saturday, after bad weather delayed its flight across the Atlantic. The plane, a military version of the popular twin engine Britten-Norman Islander, replaces the one that crashed in 1998 in the Orange Walk District.

Brigadier Gen. Cedric Borland, Commandant, B.D.F.

“We’re very please to be receiving this aircraft from the United Kingdom government. This aircraft is going to improve our operational capability immensely. It’s going to increase our air coverage, air recognisance, search and rescue missions and troop lifting capabilities. As you know, at this time we have one defenders that is flying, so this is going to double up our efforts in operational commitments.”

The B.D.F. now has two Defenders to patrol the skies over Belize. The new arrival is a gift from the United Kingdom government. It will soon be repainted military green.