The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has apprehended a vessel illegally operating in Maldivian waters. The ship was located by a drone from the MNDF Air Corps and taken into custody by the Coast Guard, according to MNDF.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu recently inaugurated a new branch of the Defence Force, known as the MNDF Air Corps. With this addition, the Defence Forces now have the capability to monitor Maldivian waters 24 hours a day.
The Air Corps is tasked with handling all aerial military operations required to protect the Maldives’ airspace. Working in collaboration with the Coast Guard, it will carry out aerial surveillance operations to safeguard both the nation’s airspace and maritime territory. The Air Corps will also play a critical role in securing strategic national installations and critical infrastructure, while providing support for search operations during domestic emergencies.
The Corps’ UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) are medium-altitude, long-endurance, tactical armoured systems capable of continuous operation at speeds of up to 220 km/h for 20 hours. These UAVs will focus on intelligence gathering and surveillance missions, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding the Maldives’ independence, sovereignty, and security.
Previously, MNDF patrols of Maldivian waters were conducted solely using Coast Guard vessels, which posed significant challenges to comprehensive surveillance.