The new base, to cost US $15 million, will be equipped with a coastal radar system and radio communications equipment, which will be backed up by radars positioned over several islands.

The UAE has also pledged two patrol boats and three fast patrol boats, as well as a helicopter, to the coast guard. The base is expected to be operational in 10 months.

“Seychelles will be better equipped to fight pirates, and the new radar surveillance system will ensure the safe passage of fishermen and other maritime traffic,” said President James Michel, in his capacity as Minister for Defence.

“We will be more capable in the detection of pirate skiffs, and our readiness to respond will be amplified.

“We are deeply grateful to the people and the government of the UAE for this significant donation to the Seychelles Coast Guard. The ties of friendship between our two countries are continuing to increase in many areas of cooperation, and the new base will make a considerable difference in our fight against piracy.”

The agreement was signed on Wednesday, and a separate accord for the construction work was signed yesterday between the UAE naval forces and the contractor, Trojan General Contracting of the UAE.

Project manager Mohamed F. Abed signed for the contractor and Alzaadi Saeed for the UAE naval forces. Also present were Minister for Home Affairs, Environment and Transport Joel Morgan, Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam, UAE ambassador to Seychelles Mullala Mubarak Suwaid Al Ameri, and senior officials from the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces and UAE naval forces.  (Seychelles Nation will come back on yesterday’s signing ceremony)

Talks to prepare for Seychelles-UAE anti-piracy cooperation took place last month when President Michel paid a working visit to Abu Dhabi.

During this visit the UAE agreed to help Seychelles with facilities and equipment to combat pirate attacks, and to help with surveillance equipment for coast guard operations.

Seychelles and the UAE had already signed a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation in December 2009.

Building of the base will also involve Seychellois construction manpower and materials. The project will be jointly overseen by an engineer from the UAE navy and officers of the SPDF and Seychelles Coast Guard.