President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated today that no foreign troops will be stationed in the Maldives to assist with the operations of the military drones currently being utilized in the surveillance of the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The President assured that only Maldivians will be engaged in the operations of these military drones.
The President made these comments in response to a question posed to him by a member of public in today's episode of the Government initiated social media programme 'President's Response'.
He was asked if, like in the past, foreign troops would be engaged in the surveillance of the Maldives' ocean territory, and whether military personnel from any country would be active in the operation of the newly introduced drones.
The President replied by saying that he would not, at all, adopt a policy where in foreign military can be stationed in the country for any purpose, and that the drones would be run solely by trained local military personnel.
President Dr Muizzu explained that a team from MNDF had undergone special trainings in drone operations in Turkey for the purpose, and that more teams will be sent to complete this training in the future.
He further affirmed that foreign troops would not be stationed in country to even assist, much less entirely operate, the drones.
"No foreign military will be involved in the newly formed MNDF Air Corps or the drones being operated under them. No foreign troops will be stationed in Maldives even to assist with these efforts," the President assured.