President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to double the capacity of the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Coast Guard by the end of his term. Speaking at the inauguration of the MNDF Air Corps and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the President emphasised the importance of developing military equipment akin to infrastructure.
Dr. Muizzu expressed concern over the current state of the Coast Guard vessels in the Maldives, noting their poor condition and the non-functionality of some equipment. He lamented the lack of attention to these issues over the years, stating, there are about four or five medium-sized vessels, about 10 or 12 small vessels, but some of them are unusable. He expressed regret over the situation saying many years have passed without addressing these issues. However, this is the reality of the Maldivian Army, President underscored.
Committing to address these shortcomings, the President pledged to double the Coast Guard's capacity during his five-year term. He mentioned ongoing discussions with Turkey and other countries to acquire vessels of various sizes.
Furthermore, Dr. Muizzu underscored the Maldives' commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities to safeguard the nation's independence. This includes plans to expand facilities both at sea and on land, expressed President.