The Dornier aircraft provided by the Indian Navy to the Maldives, today landed in the Maldives. It will operate under the command of the MNDF (Maldives National Defence Force) while running costs will be borne by India.
One of the people cited above said about its importance and operations, “The aircraft will help in monitoring the activities of Chinese vessels in regional waters. The surveillance of the EEZ includes the tracking of all adversarial movements, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and drug and human trafficking.”
He added that this aircraft would help counter-terror activities, “In light of the Mahibadhoo and Laamu attacks by suspected terrorists, the Dornier aircraft will also be useful in the counter-terrorism sphere. The isolated and dispersed nature of islands and resorts can be safeguarded only by a technologically capable fixed-wing aircraft,”
The Indian high commission in Male tweeted, “As per Govt-to-Govt Agreement & discussions started in 2016, the Dornier arrives! It will engage in humanitarian relief efforts & joint-EEZ surveillance under command & control of #MNDF; It proudly dons #MNDF colors & crest, and will involve Maldivian pilots in its operations”.
“While it could not get implemented earlier, the present government of President Ibrahim Solih has been able to implement it. Maldivian pilots, observers, and technical personnel are being trained to operate the Dornier aircraft since June 2017,” said an official who declined to be named.
The current government of the Maldives has been successful in getting more such training programs organized by India, the official said.
Maldives is a good friend for India while having a strategic position in the Indian Ocean. Earlier, India received help from the Maldives to block the way of Pakistan to host the SAARC summit.
