By Fatima Kpaka
June 24, 2026: The European Union (EU), through the Support to the West African Integrated Maritime Security (SWAIMS) Project, has donated two brand new Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) equipped with forensic kits to the Naval Service of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
The official handover ceremony took place on Tuesday, 23rd June 2026, at the Headquarters of the Sierra Leone Navy (SLN). The Deputy Minister of Defence, Colonel (Rtd) Muana Brima Massaquoi, received the boats on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
According to defence officials, the RHIBs will significantly enhance the Navy’s capacity to patrol Sierra Leone’s territorial waters, monitor maritime borders, and respond swiftly to illegal activities at sea. The inclusion of forensic kits will also strengthen the Navy’s ability to collect evidence during operations, supporting investigations into transnational crimes.
Military analysts note that these boats are particularly suited for high-speed interception, making them vital assets in combating drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and smuggling along Sierra Leone’s coastline. The donation underscores the EU’s commitment to regional security and its partnership with Sierra Leone in safeguarding maritime trade routes.
Lieutenant Colonel Yayah Brima Esq, Director of Defence Public Relations and Information, emphasized that the new assets will “boost operational readiness and help curb the growing threat of narcotics trafficking through Sierra Leone’s waters.”