About BATSUB
BATSUB enables jungle training exercises for the British Army as well as the Belize Defence Force (BDF) and various partner nations. It has a licence to train up to 3,750 personnel a year across a network of government and privately-owned land spanning 375,000 hectares. At the heart of BATSUB is the headquarters at Price Barracks, which is shared with the Belize Defence Force.
The Life Cycle Replacement Programme
The Life Cycle Replacement Programme (LCR) was originally developed in 2018 to ensure that BATSUB would be set to meet the challenge of providing a first-class training base for personnel conducting jungle warfare training. The programme has seen the much-needed replacement of the DIO Logistics Building, the refurbishment of the Sailfish Club recreational facility, and the installation of a new Water Treatment and Fire Suppression System. These facilities are essential for achieving the BATSUB mission, to “support and facilitate unit-delivered collective training in order to support the preparation of forces for readiness and operations.”
The LRC programme was funded by the British Army and was initially supported by DIO’s Regional Delivery Overseas and Training team, before being handed over to our Major Programmes and Projects team in 2021 for completion. Close collaboration with our industry partners and key stakeholders, including the BDF, was central throughout the programme and helped to ensure its successful completion in August 2022.
Improving the training experience at BATSUB
The new Water Treatment and Fire Suppression System will provide reliable potable water to BATSUB and BDF personnel, as well as an improved, camp-wide fire suppression system. The refurbishment of the Water Treatment Works will also help to enhance the sustainability of BATSUB, by reducing both the amount of wasted water and the energy – and associated carbon footprint – required in its treatment.
The new and improved facilities will also benefit our international partners, helping to meet the training requirements of partner nations’ forces at BATSUB in addition to those of the UK and Belize Armed Forces.
The LCR programme forms part of a larger investment package in Belize, with the construction of a new, purpose-built ammunition compound at Hattiville Ranges now underway. It’s greatly encouraging to witness the collaborative efforts of our DIO teams, working with British Army colleagues and our industry partners, to transform the BATSUB estate. Our ongoing efforts to maintain and improve infrastructure at BATSUB will ensure its continued effectiveness in supporting UK Defence interests in the region.
1 comment
Comment by Simon (Ronnie) Briggs posted on
Only seems a moment ago that we completed construction of the Sailfish Club (2000), glad to see DIO's efforts to maintain and upgrade. Good job.