Several retired army personnel have hailed the establishment of the Air Corps of the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and the introduction of military drones as a historic development for the nation's defense system. The individuals, who have served the country's military in the past and continue to support the MNDF, expressed pride in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's initiative to inaugurate the Air Corps and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
Brigadier General (retired) Mohamed Shareef, with over 41 years of military service, emphasised that the traditional process of MNDF assisting vessels at sea often proves time-consuming. However, he noted that the introduction of modern facilities, particularly UAVs, would significantly expedite operations. Shareef expressed confidence in the UAVs' ability to revolutionise the defense system by conducting surveillance and military operations while facilitating humanitarian aid efforts. He commended MNDF for prioritising the acquisition of modern facilities to ensure the country's safety and security.
Moreover, National Security Advisor Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Ibrahim Latheef, who served in both the Maldives Police Force and MNDF for over 19 years, described the establishment of UAVs and the Air Corps as a long-awaited dream for military personnel. He underscored the importance of these initiatives in safeguarding the nation's independence, sovereignty, and security.
The MNDF Air Corps has procured Turkish-made Bayrakta model Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) to support its operations. Training for troops has commenced, with the first team completing their training and additional personnel undergoing training in Turkey. These UAVs, characterized as medium altitude long endurance and tactical armored, are capable of sustained operations at speeds of up to 220 km/h for 20 hours continuously.
The primary objective of these UAVs is to conduct intelligence and surveillance operations across various military missions aimed at safeguarding the Maldives' independence, sovereignty, and security. They play a crucial role in ensuring national security through effective intelligence gathering and surveillance.