Enduring Friendship was a multi-year maritime security assistance initiative, spearheaded by U.S. Southern Command, that aimed to bolster partner nation capabilities in maritime domain awareness, assist interception of illicit traffickers, and increase interoperability among participating nations in the Caribbean and Central American waters.
Overview
The command worked with Caribbean and Central American partner nations to provide them with high-speed interceptor boats that are fitted with state-of-the-art communications and radar suites.
The intent is that the provided capabilities will compliment the participating nations’ ongoing patrol efforts and yield a security partnership that provides a net of coverage to “detect, deter, disrupt and defeat” illicit activity in a region with many threats.
The new capabilities, especially the communications systems, also help the nations better anticipate and respond to threats, maritime emergencies, and natural disasters in their territorial waters.
What Enduring Friendship provided:
- High-speed Interceptor Boats
- Over the Horizon Tactical Tracking System
- Robust communications equipment, both ashore and onboard systems
- Forward Looking Infrared systems for the boats
- Technical support
- Maintenance, repair parts and spares package
- 60-day crew training course covering boat maintenance, operations, and communications
- Boat trailers and heavy-duty pick-up trucks
- Boat docking stations
Deliveries:
- Four boats to Panama
- Four boats to Dominican Republic
- Four boats to Bahamas
- Four boats to Jamaica
- Four boats to Honduras
- Four boats to Nicaragua
SECURITY IN THE REGION: Why Enduring Friendship is important
U.S. and regional leaders believe Enduring Friendship’s modest investment will yield major long-term security progress in a region that faces many transnational threats, which range from drugs and terrorism to the illicit trafficking of humans and weapons.