In a recent development, the Maldives, situated in the Indian Ocean, has procured drones from Turkey to bolster its surveillance efforts within its expansive exclusive economic zone, as reported by a media outlet on Saturday. This move comes shortly after the Maldives finalized a defense agreement with China, securing non-lethal weaponry. The government of the Maldives anticipates commencing drone operations within the coming week. However, details regarding the exact number of drones acquired and official confirmation from the Maldives’ Ministry of Defence or Foreign Ministry remain undisclosed, as per the report.
According to a senior government official involved in the process, these military drones, acquired from a Turkish company, mark the first instance of such technology being introduced to the Maldives. The drones were reportedly delivered to the Maldives on March 3 and are currently stationed at Noonu Maafaru International Airport. Despite President Mohamed Muizzu's visit to Turkey in November, the specific quantity of drones obtained under the agreement remains unspecified. Nonetheless, efforts are underway to commence drone operations promptly, the report states.
While the Maldivian government has refrained from making formal comments on the drone acquisition, there have been queries raised regarding the country's capacity to operate such advanced surveillance systems. Nevertheless, the government appears committed to bolstering its defense capabilities, particularly in securing its vast exclusive economic zone.
Furthermore, recent amendments to import duty waiver procedures by the President's Office suggest an inclination towards facilitating the procurement of military drones. Adhadhu, a news portal, previously reported an allocation of $37 million from the state’s contingency budget for the purchase of drones, indicating a significant investment in enhancing the Maldives National Defence Force's capabilities.
Despite these developments, both the Defence Ministry and the Foreign Ministry have refrained from providing detailed insights into the drone acquisition agreement. Meanwhile, tensions loom as the Maldives government approaches the March 10 deadline for the withdrawal of Indian military troops from the island nation, a move affirmed by President Muizzu. This decision follows a recent Indian civilian team's arrival in the Maldives, tasked with assuming control of one of the aviation platforms, ahead of the agreed-upon deadline for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel.
