By Josephine Sesay

The European Union (EU), through its Support to the West African Integrated Maritime Security (SWAIMS) Project, has donated two brand-new Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) and forensic kits to the Naval Service of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), to strengthen the country’s maritime security capabilities.

The equipment was officially handed over during a ceremony held on June 23, 2026, at the Headquarters of the Sierra Leone Navy in Freetown. The Deputy Minister of Defence, Colonel Muana Brima Massaquoi (Rtd.), received the donation on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Yayah Brima, Director of Defence Public Relations and Information, the newly acquired RHIBs will significantly enhance the navy’s operational capacity by improving maritime patrols, surveillance and rapid response across Sierra Leone’s territorial waters. The forensic kits are also expected to strengthen the investigation of maritime crimes by supporting the collection and preservation of evidence during security operations.

The donation comes as Sierra Leone intensifies efforts to combat illegal fishing, piracy, human and drug trafficking, smuggling and other transnational crimes that threaten the country’s maritime domain. Security officials believe the new assets will enhance the Navy’s ability to monitor coastal waters, safeguard marine resources and enforce maritime laws more effectively.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, officials underscored the importance of international cooperation in promoting maritime safety and regional stability. They noted that the donation forms part of the European Union’s broader commitment to strengthening maritime governance and security across West Africa through the SWAIMS Project.

The initiative further reflects the growing partnership between the European Union and Sierra Leone in protecting coastal resources, enhancing national security and promoting sustainable development. As maritime threats continue to evolve, the newly donated patrol boats and forensic equipment are expected to play a critical role in improving Sierra Leone’s capacity to secure its territorial waters and safeguard its economic interests.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 1st July 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)