Civil crews begin conducting medical evacuations on Dornier aircraft

The crews of civilian personnel sent in to replace Indian soldiers have begun conducting medical evacuations on the Dornia aircraft donated to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu got elected to office last year on the promise of expelling the platoon of soldiers stationed in the Maldives to operate the India-donated Dornia aircraft. The MNDF had grounded the aircraft as the governments of Male’ and New Delhi negotiated the withdrawal of the troops.

Addressing the Independence Day function held on Friday night, President Muizzu said the civilian crews sent in to replace the soldiers operated the first evacuation flight earlier that day, transporting a patient from HDh. Hanimaadhoo to Male’ City.

“A patient was transported to Male’ on the India platform for the first time since military personnel were replaced by civilians. I thank the Indian government for this,” he said.

The months-long grounding of the Dornia aircraft had sparked criticism against the government.

The last of the 76 Indian soldiers stationed in Maldives withdrew back in May. They have been replaced by the same number of civilian personnel.

The civilian personnel were sent by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited – an Indian public sector aerospace and defense company based in Bangalore, which manufactured the helicopter donated by the Indian government.

They will manage aviation platforms in Hanimaadhoo, Kadhdhoo and Gan.

Their contract expires in 2026.

In his Independence Day address, President Muizzu said that the expulsion of foreign troops stationed in Maldives marks the initial step in securing the country’s defense sovereignty.

This has now been accomplished and guaranteed that foreign troops, whether in uniform or not, will not be present in the Maldives, he said.

President Muizzu said that full control of territorial waters is crucial for ensuring national defense sovereignty. He said that advanced technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are being utilized for continuous surveillance of the nation’s maritime domains.

He also outlined efforts to enhance the capabilities of the armed forces, secure necessary funding, and significantly increase the Coast Guard’s capacity.

He described upholding the red line of the country's independence as a matter of pride for him.