Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – In a significant gesture of defence cooperation, the British High Commission in The Gambia on Thursday handed over two state-of-the-art Interceptor Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats (PAC 22 RHIBs) to the Gambia Navy. The official handover ceremony took place at the Naval Command headquarters in Banjul.
Her Excellency Harriet King, the British High Commissioner to The Gambia, presented the vessels to Lieutenant General Mamat OA Cham, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces. The event marked another milestone in the growing defense partnership between the United Kingdom and The Gambia.
“These boats represent the UK’s strong and enduring commitment to The Gambia’s national security and maritime sovereignty,” said High Commissioner King. “We are proud to support the Gambian Navy in its mission to secure its territorial waters and combat transnational threats.”
The PAC 22 RHIBs are high-speed, all-weather craft designed for quick-response missions. Known for their durability and maneuverability, these vessels are equipped to carry out a range of maritime operations, including anti-smuggling patrols, illegal fishing surveillance, and search and rescue missions.
Lieutenant General Cham expressed gratitude for the donation, emphasizing the strategic importance of the vessels: “With increasing challenges in our maritime domain, these boats will significantly boost our capacity to secure our waters, deter criminal activity, and protect our marine resources.”
The donation is part of broader UK efforts to enhance regional maritime security and combat organized maritime crime along West Africa’s Atlantic coast. According to defense analysts, the Gulf of Guinea, which includes parts of Gambian waters, remains a hotspot for illegal fishing, trafficking, and piracy.
The Gambia Navy has been undergoing gradual modernization to better respond to emerging maritime threats.
This latest support from the UK aligns with ongoing initiatives by ECOWAS and international partners aimed at strengthening coastal security and inter-agency coordination.
As part of the partnership, Royal Navy personnel are also expected to conduct training sessions for Gambian naval officers on operating and maintaining the new vessels.
The handover ceremony concluded with a live demonstration of the boats in action, showcasing their speed and versatility to invited dignitaries, military officials, and members of the press.
