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President's progress praised by friends and foes alike: Ghassan

President Muizzu has initiated the military drone service in Maldives during an event held last night to inaugurate the utilization of drones acquired from Turkey. President had assured further development to Maldives' military power during this ceremony.

Aishath Shuba Solih
17 March 2024, MVT 09:17
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu observing a military drone acquired from Turkey Minister the historical event last night held to initiate the military drone service while Minister of Defence, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef stands next to him -- Photo: President's Office
Aishath Shuba Solih
17 March 2024, MVT 09:17

Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has stated that the conclusion to utilize military drones in supervising the country's maritime area led by the President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and the implementation of this decision is a development that is admired by both friends and foes alike.

The historical ceremony held to initiate the utilization of the three military drones procured with assistance from the Turkish government was held at the Noonu atoll Maafaru international airport on Friday night. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Dr Mohamed Muizzu had shared Turkey had provided most of the devices of these drones to Maldives free of charge during this ceremony. Subsequently, additional drones are also set to be imported into the country.

Speaking at the ceremony last night, Minister of Defence, Ghassan stated that the present global procedures may attempt to influence the sovereignty and independence of various nations and highlighted that the President Muizzu will "stand up twice" for the independency of Maldives against such an attempt.

"This advancement by once more assembling the Maldivian army through audacious hard work, saying we reserve the right to remain an independent country after standing from Boduthiladhunmathi and publicly voicing that we hold the right to brush off and stand on our own feet surprised both friends and foes alike," Ghassan reiterated.

He asserted that the President's determination has extended the people's certainty in him.

"A development that reignited the pride of nation in young people's heart. A development that further strengthened the resolve of fearless Maldivian military troops," said the Minister.

Stating that the global wars largely depend on technology and that this ensures less danger for the armies, he emphasized that Maldivian army has also acquired such a resource through the directions of President Muizzu.

Minister of Defence, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon speaking at the historical event last night held to initiate the military drone service -- Photo: President's Office

"A system that ensures Maldivian army remains safe while performing their services to the people. This is a sophisticated technology platform utilized by progressive countries worldwide. Defence manuals to defend Maldives' independence from a situations that may arise even in an instance that focuses on surveillance and search and rescue can be taken; there are weapons that utilize flame power [in the drones]," declared Ghassan.

The President, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, had initiated the aerial military service of the Maldivian army during the historical ceremony last night and assured that the arial military combat will be further advanced. The president had also declared that helicopter services will be commenced before the end of the year and subsequently asserted the certainty of expanding the capacity of the currently hampered coast guard by twofold.

The President had revealed that procedures to expand the coast guard's capacity is ongoing even at present together with the assistance of countries such as Turkey.

The three drones bought from Turkey for the surveillance of Maldives' maritime area is of the model Bayraktar TB2 produced exclusively in Turkey. While additional drones of these model are decided to be brought into the country, a team of Maldivian military officials was sent to Turkey to receive training on the operational procedures of these drones. While the first batch of this team has returned to Male' and assumed the service, the President further assured that the second batch will return to the country very soon last night.

Due to America ceasing provision of military devices to Turkey, The Bayraktar TB2 done model manufactured by the Turkish drone company, Baykar began flying during the year 2014.

This drone model equipped with the most progressive military and communicative devices is capable of ascending to altitudes higher than 25,000 feet for over 27 hours.

With a 6 meters length and a wing span of 12 meters, these drones which are 700 kg in weight are fully automated and sports communicational devices that extends to a range of 300 kilometers. They are equipped to fly at an airspeed of 70 to 120 knots.

These drones that were supplied to multiple countries worldwide are also built with the capability to support laser guided missiles. The payload capacity of the craft is 150 kg.

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