India: Will provide special assistance to strengthen Maldivian Air Force

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has said that the Indian Military has agreed to provide a special assistance to develop the Air Wing of the Maldivian Army.

The MNDF made the statement in a press release following the Chief of Defense Force, Major General Ahmed Shiyam’s four-day visit to India that concluded yesterday.

The Chief of Defense Force met with high level officials of the Indian Army on his visit.

And so the Chief of Defense Force, Shiyam met with the Indian Defense Minister, M.R. Manohar Parrika along with the Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, the Defense Secretary and the Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee of the Indian Army.

Improving the relationship between the military of the two countries and develop the human resources of the Maldivian military were discussed at the individual meetings with the Indian officials and shared the information on the development requirements of the Maldivian Army to the Indian officers. At the meetings, India has assured to provide more training opportunities for Maldivian Military Officers increase their capabilities.

On his visit, the Chief of Defense Force visited the training facility run by the Southern Naval Command of India, the Indian Naval Aircraft Yard and the Joint Operations Center along with some of the vessels of the Indian Coast Guard.

MNDF said that the Chief of Defense Forces was received with a warm welcome on his visits and the Chief met with Maldivian Officers on different training programs at Cochin.

The Directorate of Operations and Training Principal, Colonel Hamid Shafeeq accompanied the Chief of Defense Force on his visit to India.