Saint Kitts and Nevis Defence Force
Encyclopedia
The Saint Kitts and Nevis Defence Force is the military
of Saint Kitts and Nevis
. It currently consists of an infantry unit (the St. Kitts Nevis Regiment) and a maritime unit (the St. Kitts Nevis Coast Guard). Both units having regular and reserve elements, all under the command Force Headquarters (FHQ, SKNDF). The current Commander of the SKNDF is Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Wallace. The SKNDF has an active force of 300 personnel with a corps of 150 cadets.
The commander takes orders from the Minister of National Security.
The Coast Guard's lone off shore patrolvessel was donated by the United States
C company is the cadet corp which consists of 150 cadets: 80 senior & 70 junior.
plantations. The regular defence force did not come into being however until 1967, when it was decided that a regular army was needed following public disturbances on the island of Anguilla
, which was attempting to secede from its federation with Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the determination that the existing volunteer force was not adequately trained to deal with the situation.
The first Defence's manpower came from the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force's Tactical Unit and the Special Service Unit.
The forming of the regular defence force was a major policy of the ruling Labour Party, and was adamantly opposed by the opposition People Action Movement (PAM). Thus, when the PAM came to power in 1980, they made the decision to disband the regular force, leaving only the reserve. However, the election of Denzil Douglas
in 1997 saw the new government reform the regulars.
. The SKNDF is also used in the provision of relief after natural disasters, and in overseas peacekeeping
roles.
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis , located in the Leeward Islands, is a federal two-island nation in the West Indies. It is the smallest sovereign state in the Americas, in both area and population....
. It currently consists of an infantry unit (the St. Kitts Nevis Regiment) and a maritime unit (the St. Kitts Nevis Coast Guard). Both units having regular and reserve elements, all under the command Force Headquarters (FHQ, SKNDF). The current Commander of the SKNDF is Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Wallace. The SKNDF has an active force of 300 personnel with a corps of 150 cadets.
The commander takes orders from the Minister of National Security.
Regular Corps
The regular corps of the SKNDF consists of:- 'A' Company: This is the regular infantryInfantryInfantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
unit of the SKNDF. It is under the command of a captain, and consists of an HQ and three rifle platoons. - Support and Services Platoon: This is the administrative and logistics element, and includes two other individual units:
- The Agricultural Corps
- Coast Guard: This is the marine element, and is divided into three sub-units:
- CG Headquarters
- Engineer Unit
- Flotilla - this is responsible for the operation of the five vessels of the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard's lone off shore patrolvessel was donated by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
C company is the cadet corp which consists of 150 cadets: 80 senior & 70 junior.
Equipment
- 3x Daimler Ferret FV-702 4x4 ARVs
- Landrover Defender 4x4
- Sterling MK-4 9mm SMG
- FN-FAL 50-00
Belgium
- L-1A1 7.62mm SAR
- FN-MAG 7.62mm LMG Belgium
- L-16A-1 81mm Mortar
Reserve Corps
The reserve corps of the SKNDF consists of:- 'B' Company: This is the reserve infantry unit, and mirrors 'A' Company in structure.
- Coast Guard: This provides reserves for the Coast Guard.
- St Kitts and Nevis Defence Force Band
- St Kitts and Nevis Defence Force Cadet Corps
History
The SKNDF was originally formed as a volunteer unit in 1896 in response to riots in several sugarSugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
plantations. The regular defence force did not come into being however until 1967, when it was decided that a regular army was needed following public disturbances on the island of Anguilla
Anguilla
Anguilla is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin...
, which was attempting to secede from its federation with Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the determination that the existing volunteer force was not adequately trained to deal with the situation.
The first Defence's manpower came from the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force's Tactical Unit and the Special Service Unit.
The forming of the regular defence force was a major policy of the ruling Labour Party, and was adamantly opposed by the opposition People Action Movement (PAM). Thus, when the PAM came to power in 1980, they made the decision to disband the regular force, leaving only the reserve. However, the election of Denzil Douglas
Denzil Douglas
Denzil Llewellyn Douglas has been Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis since July 1995. He leads the Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party. He is the longest serving Prime Minister Saint Kitts and Nevis has ever had....
in 1997 saw the new government reform the regulars.
Mission
The SKNDF performs a number of roles. The primary mission of the land force element is the internal security of St Kitts and Nevis, in conjunction with the local police, while the coast Guard is responsible for guarding the country's territorial waters. One of the major roles of the entire SKNDF is the war on drugs, which is often undertaken together with the local police and the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. The SKNDF is also used in the provision of relief after natural disasters, and in overseas peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
roles.