TCI to build its own military regiment
By Olivia Rose
THE TURKS and Caicos Islands is taking its first step towards having its own armed defence force.
The revelation that the UK has agreed to help the TCI develop its own military regiment was made by Governor Nigel Dakin in a post on Instagram on December 3.
Governor Dakin said the move towards a reservist defence unit has been under discussion by Britain and TCI for some time.
The overarching aim of the military regiment is to improve security and disaster management locally.
He said: "Over the last two days we’ve had a team in the Islands from the UK’s Ministry of Defence starting to look at the feasibility for us establishing a military capability for the Islands.
"This ambition is included in the National Security Strategy.
"All initial indications are that this is both possible and that we can move reasonably quickly, with UK support.”
He said the engagement with UK Ministry of Defence officials is still at a working level and is based on how the plan will be brought into fruition.
"We envision a reserve force commanded, officered and staffed by men and women of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
"There would be a core group of TCI permanent staff: a commanding officer, adjutant, training officer and administrative element drawn from this group.
"We would look to the UK for training (including training for officers at Sandhurst) and soldiers regionally, along with weapons and uniforms.
"The force, as presently imagined, would be able to work in support of our maritime units and be on standby in times of natural disaster trained in basic engineering and communication skills.”
He said that having a TCI military force will see more connectivity with the UK military than to date but that will be in terms of support to the territory.
"You can imagine how valuable such a force will be in terms of reinforcing our maritime defences and, given the support provided post hurricane by the Bermuda Regiment, we are also discussing giving it basic engineering and communication skills so they can provide a disciplined uniformed force who can support during times of natural or other disaster.
"I hope it also develops into something TCI can be hugely proud of and give those men and women who want to serve their country, an opportunity to serve.”
Representatives from the defence ministry and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are expected to visit the territory sometime next year to conduct an operational needs assessment to find out what will be needed to move the project forward.
Once the military force gets off the ground, it will be the fourth overseas territories regiment in the region after Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Montserrat.
The governor said: "We’d look to build interoperability with the Bermuda Regiment and Cayman (who are about to embark on the same journey).”
He stressed that the force is called out as a capability in the National Security Strategy and this strategy was needed to convince the UK of the TCI’s seriousness in this regard.
Dakin added: "There’s still a distance to go before UK ministers agree to our proposal but the team wouldn’t have come without initial ministerial and top level military support for the concept.
"There’s been cross party support by leaders of both political parties for this initiative here and of course the premier and myself own the National Security Strategy.
"If all goes well I’d hope we would start to see practical developments towards the third quarter of 2020.
"You can’t buy this capability off the forecourt, either, but we’ve started on the journey and I hope we will build something enduring that TCI becomes tremendously proud of and which offers great utility,” the governor said.
Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson met with UK Ministry of Defence team during their visit.