Antigua and Barbuda’s Coast Guard has received a new gunboat, a key step in bolstering the country’s maritime security, Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed this week.

The delivery of the vessel is expected to enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to patrol national waters and respond more swiftly to security threats. Equipped for high-risk operations, the gunboat is designed to improve surveillance, support search and rescue missions, and tackle issues such as illegal fishing and drug trafficking.

Prime Minister Browne stressed the importance of the new asset, noting that it will play a vital role in safeguarding local fishermen, securing commercial shipping lanes, and protecting the growing marine tourism industry.

The delivery of the gunboat reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to modernising its security forces and enhancing its capacity to manage maritime challenges.