President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), launched the MNDF’s Air Corps and introduced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) into the service of the Defence Force as per a release in the Maldives President website.
On this occasion, the President introduced the UAV and signed the decree to start MNDF's air surveillance in the Maldives. He was then given a seven-gun salute in honour of providing UAV and 'air surveillance' capabilities to the MNDF.
At the inauguration ceremony, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu stated that the Maldives and its oceans are vast and that Maldivians would monitor the jurisdiction. He said Maldives stretches along nine hundred thousand square kilometres and is capable of monitoring its jurisdiction.
He added that the Maldives is an independent and sovereign nation and that surveillance of the Maldives' jurisdiction should not concern any external parties.
The President stated that the Administration would double the capacity of the Coast Guard, expand the Air Corps fleet, and enhance land-based vehicles and platforms.
Bayraktar TB 2 Drones
As per Sun Online, two ‘Bayraktar TB2’ drones were acquired under an agreement executed with the Turkish government.
The drone measures 6.5 meters in length and has 12-meter wings. It weighs approximately 700 kilos. The drone has a communication range of up to 300 kilometers and a payload capacity of 150 kilograms.
Equipped with the most up-to-date technology, the drone can fly for 27 hours at a speed of 70 to 120 knots. It has an operational maximum altitude of 18,000 to 25,000 feet. The drone, capable of conducting surgical precision strikes, will be operated by a special team of the MNDF.
MNDF Drone Capabilities?
The rapid induction of drones and claims of MNDF personnel already trained to operate the same in the past four months or so needs to be observed with some caution as some foreign personnel assisting the MNDF in the same cannot be ruled out.
This comes as the first batch of Indian soldiers have left the Addu city, replaced by Indian civilian technical personnel.