The National Army Navy has expanded its capabilities with the seaworthy vessel RSS Barracuda (P501), acquired through a lease-to-buy agreement with Damen Shipyard Group. The vessel was officially commissioned on November 18, 2024 during a ceremony at the jetty of the Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS), where President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and Minister of Defense Krishna Mathoera emphasized the importance of this reinforcement for maritime security. The minister spoke of the acquisition as a strategic and future-oriented investment, fully financed from the defense budget without external loans.
Surinam Navy photo