End of year issue - Seychelles People’s Defence Forces forging ahead and winning for Seychelles |30 December 2011

A military doctrine was formulated enunciating the major threats, vulnerabilities and restructuring of the force.  A renewed vision for the SPDF has also been formulated and a perspective plan is in the pipeline.  The SPDF was showcased to the public as part of Expo 2020 and greatly appreciated.

SPDF organised a joint exercise with the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) and the Seychelles Trading Company (STC).  The exercise involved the Police, the Police Services Support Wing (PSSW) and local security agencies to practice basic security drills and interoperability.

 
A revised scheme of service has been put in place to attract young men and women to join the SPDF.  Selection of the second cohort of the Military Young Leaders Programme (MYLP) is in progress.  The SPDF website was refurbished and a coffee table book has been published highlighting various aspects of SPDF.  The existing servers and network at the army headquarters was upgraded to meet the latest technological requirements.
 
The SPDF was also involved in a number of social activities which included blood donation, social work in schools, assistance to civil authority during times of emergencies.

On the training front the Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA) has been able to successfully conduct an officer cadet course with the resources within the SPDF.  Training of recruits recommenced at Coetivy after a gap of more than a decade.  This ensured dedicated training and inherent security to far-off islands.
 

At sea the sailors of the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) have earned many laurels while combating the pirates.  We killed, injured and apprehended pirates who dared to venture into our exclusive economic zone (EEZ).  The brave sailors and soldiers were aptly decorated by the President for their acts of gallantry.
 
The SCG is now operational from a new base which meets all the envisaged requirements for its future.  They also trained recruits specifically for the SCG after careful selection from the Maritime Training Centre (MTC), the Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT) and other institutions.  The number of boats at the SCG grew exponentially.

 
Airwing moves to new hangar
 
In air the SPDF has doubled its assets.  There are four pilots presently undergoing training abroad for basic pilots course.  The number of pilots with SPDF has increased dramatically due to aggressive advertisement, better opportunities and challenges.  The new hangar proudly displays the fleet of SPDF.
 

On land the Tazar underwent a conversion from infantry to Special Forces.  They also undertook operation in conjunction with the SCG at sea and other civil organisation on land.  A composite training to include special forces tactics, hostage rescue, VIP protection, basic nursing assistance, handling of demolition and explosives and deep sea diving for a period of three months was done in India.
 

As part of training with other armies for mutual benefit and learning, the SPDF did joint exercises with France, United States of America and India.  The SPDF proved their mettle and worked shoulder to shoulder to achieve the given task.  The foreign armies were wholesome in their praise for the SPDF.  The East African Standby Force meetings of the representative countries was conducted successfully in Seychelles.  Various inputs for security in the region were highlighted and given to the forum.

 
SPDF has been living up to its vision and moving from strength to strength in achieving the desired goals.  The operational readiness of SPDF has reached greater heights. As we forge into the new year with renewed commitment, the SPDF stands with the Seychellois community to ensure a peaceful environment.
 
Contributed