Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has extended congratulations on the inauguration of the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Air Corps and the commencement of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Army (UAV) service.
In a post on social media, former President Maumoon praised President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and the MNDF for the momentous event.
The new Air Corps will handle all aerial military operations necessary to safeguard the airspace of the Maldives. Collaborating with the Coast Guard, it will conduct aerial surveillance operations to protect both the airspace and the ocean territory of the Maldives. In addition, the Corps will play a vital role in securing national strategic installations and critical infrastructures, as well as assisting in search operations for missing persons and vehicles during domestic emergencies.
The introduced UAVs are medium altitude long endurance and are capable of sustained operation at speeds of up to 220 km/h for 20 hours continuously. They will primarily conduct intelligence and surveillance operations in various military missions aimed at safeguarding the independence, sovereignty, and security of the Maldives.