The introduction of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Air Corps has shocked enemies and friends, Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon said on Friday night.
Speaking at a ceremony in Noonu Maafaru, Ghassan said the role of defense forces and the strategies of war have changed in the modern world, adding that armies are now dependent on technology and tactics are used to reduce risk to lives.
"It is a sophisticated technology platform used in developed countries in the world. At the same time, it is a weapon with firepower that can take defensive maneuvers to defend the country's sovereignty while focusing on surveillance and search and rescue," he said.
Ghassan said the tide of war has changed in the world resulting in decreasing attempts to invade or occupy another country. However, he claimed that powerful countries now try to influence the sovereignty of other countries.
"By openly saying that we have the right to live in an independent and sovereign Maldives and by openly saying that Maldivians have the right to stand on their own feet, working with courage to quickly upgrade the ranks of the Maldivian military and the goal achieved through that has shocked enemies and friends," he said.
Chief of Defense Force Lt. Gen. Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defense Force Lt. Gen. Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef said that the military capabilities of the MNDF have greatly increased with the launch of the MNDF Air Corps and the use of drones.
“In the 4000 years of independent Maldives, today is a historic day as the Air Corps has been inaugurated for the first time to defend the country by air, conduct search operations and assist fishermen and vessels in maritime incidents," he said.
