A historical night: MNDF’s Air Corp service launched

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF)’s Air Corp service has been launched with the capability to independently surveil Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The Air Corp service was launched by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during a special ceremony held at N. Maafaru Airport for the launching of the Air Corp service and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) service.

MNDF has decided to establish a specific base for military drone operations at Maafaru as part of the new services launched tonight.

Two ‘Bayraktar TB2’ drones have now been brought to the Maldives to commence these operations under an agreement executed with the Turkish government.

The drone measures 6.5 meters in length and has 12-meter wings. It weighs approximately 700 kilos. The drone has a communication range of up to 300 kilometers and a payload capacity of 150 kilograms.

Equipped with the most up-to-date technology, the drone can fly for 27 hours at a speed of 70 to 120 knots. It has an operational maximum altitude of 18,000 to 25,000 feet.

The drone, capable of conducting surgical precision strikes, will be operated by a special team of the MNDF.

Decreasing Maldives’ dependency on foreign nations for security-related matters and basic necessities is an electoral pledge of Muizzu.