No corruption in acquiring drones, details withheld in accordance with advice received: President

President and Commander-in-Chief of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated today that complete details regarding the military drones acquired from Turkey have not been revealed publicly as it is a matter relating to national security, and he had received advice in this regard from senior military officers as well.

The President made these remarks in an exclusive interview he granted to 'Mihaaru' News this week.

Mihaaru posed a question to the President about why details of the three drones that had been brought into operation through MNDF Air Corps have not been released publicly.

In response, the President stated that military drones are directly related to national security, and military information about a nation is not publicly shared by any country.

"Media are quoting different numbers for the quantity of drones. The advice I received from the Chief of Defence Force, Minister and the other Generals as well is that the number of drones we have should not be officially informed or told to any one. That no country ever publicizes the number of military equipment they possess, that is for national security," President Muizzu replied.

"Hence, as it is related to national security, that is why we have not released details."

The President went on to say that he had revealed that a large part of the drone systems had been given through a grant due to increased public talk about the high costs that would have been involved in purchasing said drones. Additionally, he wanted to reveal the cooperation and assistance extended by the President pf Turkey and his government.

"That is the extent of what I wish to say about it. This is not, in any sense, a lack of transparency. I am, for certain, not a person who intends to keep anything undisclosed, I will not hide anything. However, the nation's independence is crucial to all of us," he said.

Although some expenses of buying the drones were borne through the State budget, the President said most of it was discount. The President responded to the opposition's allegations that there is major corruption involved in the acquisition of drones from Turkey.

President Dr Muizzu asserted that every individual has the right and the option to submit a case if they believe there is corruption involved in a matter, and called on anyone with suspicions to proceed along these steps.

The President, meanwhile, holds and assures absolute confidence that this government is not engaged in any acts of corruption.

"I give you complete assurance of that. And should such a thing occur, I will be the first to take initiative and take action against it. There is no corruption involved either in the matter of the drones, nor any other projects," he asserted.

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party alleges that the government has bought the drones at a value much higher than the regular market rate, claiming the party possesses details about this.

The drones acquired from Turkey are medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial crafts capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations. They are able to fly at altitudes of 25,000 feet for over 27 hours. They are 6 meters long, with a wing span of 12 meters, and is about 700 kg in weight.

These drones are also built with the capability to support laser guided missiles. The payload capacity of the craft is 150 kg.