India hands over Kadhdhoo radar system to MNDF

The third radar system provided by the Indian government, installed in Kadhdhoo, has been handed over to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

The High Commission of India in the Maldives said in a press release yesterday that the system was handed over to MNDF Central Area Commander, Colonel Hamid Shafeeq, by engineers of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL); at a ceremony at the MNDF Central Area Headquarters on 17 August 2015.

According to the Indian High Commission, the system will provide all-weather 24-hour coverage of the sea area adjoining Laamu Atoll, which would allow MNDF to track ships and fishing boats, providing added security in the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The installation of the radar system in Kadhdhoo saw the completion of the Phase I of the Maldives Coastal Radar Project. Following a request by the Maldivian government in 2006, the Indian government installed radars in Gan and Uligamu in 2007 and 2012 respectively.

Fitment of seven additional radars and Automatic Identification System (AIS) stations are planned under Phase II of the project.