Establishing a base in Maafaru to operate military drones

Efforts begun by the state to establish a drone base in Noonu atoll Maafaru to operate the military drones brought from Turkey in order to conduct monitoring of Maldives’ ocean territories have been revealed.

As learnt by Mihaaru News, the materials required for constructing the base in N. Maafaru which houses an International Airport was transported the island last Tuesday. A special Maldivian military force had also departed to the island together with these materials.

Amid President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s official trip to Turkey, he had observed the various military vehicles produced by the country and formed an agreement with a Turkish company to import military drones into Maldives.

Government has not disclosed further information on the agreement thus far.

However, Mihaaru News has reported that under this agreement, military drones have been brought into the country and efforts to begin utilizing these drones are presently underway. Photos of this development was also circulated around social media.

A special military team of Maldives is at Turkey to receive training on the drone’s operational procedures even at this moment.

While Turkey remains one of the most competent countries equipped with producing military drones, these drones manufactured by their companies are purchased by many countries world-wide.

The State has not divulged the budget arrangements determined for the purchase of military drones.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had previously declared that the State will ensure the country’s capacity to supervise Maldives’ maritime area around the clock by itself. Speaking at a ceremony held in Raa atoll Meedhoo last Saturday, the President said that a system to supervise the country’s maritime area 24/7 will be arranged and begun this month.

It is believed the president had made this statement regarding the commencement of drone operations.

“This will allow us to feel the we are able to supervise our own country; this will allow us to feel independent,” the President remarked during the ceremony held at Meedhoo school.

President stated that no real power of Maldives was exerted into the country’s maritime area and that the country has been incapable of supervising it.

“This is a wide, large area that will allow us to expand our economy. This is a part of our country. We were unable to supervise a large area of the country’s sea even up until today. This is the extend of our capacity for ages. As such, there is nothing to be done even if another party invades and utilizes parts of this large ocean territory,” the President stated.

“There is nothing we can do in the face of any sort of threat unless with the help of an external party. We haven’t felt that we really stood up on our own feet so far. There hasn’t been real independence.”

While the President has assured that the country will acquire the capability to supervise Maldives’ maritime area within this month, India and Maldives has settled an agreement to begin removal of the Indian military presence in Maldives by tomorrow.

The State has assured that the Indian military present in three regions of Maldives to operate helicopters and Dornier aircrafts will leave the country by Sunday, May 10. While it was agreed that Indian civilians were to replace these military officials, Ministry of Defence had stated on February 27 that the civilian crew that will take over operations of helicopters run by Indian military had arrived in the country on February 26.