India is ready to train Maldivian pilots to fly military aircraft and helicopters, India’s External Affairs Ministry has said.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this at the ministry's weekly press briefing in response to a question about the future of the helicopters and Dornier aircraft donated to the Maldives by India.
Responding to the journalist, Jaiswal said building the capacity of the Maldives military was an important component of defence and security agreements made between the countries. India will train pilots if it is requested by the Maldivian government, he said.
"We have, in the past, trained their personnel on the defence side, and if we receive a request for training of pilots, we will, if this request is made, we will be happy to take it forward," Jaiswal said.
The Indian government's statement came after Indian soldiers previously stationed in the Maldives to operate the aircraft were withdrawn before May 10 as agreed upon between the two countries. The soldiers who departed in three batches were replaced by pilots and technical staff from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), a company with ties to the Indian military.
Notably, India was said to be training Maldivians to fly the Dornier aircraft during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's government. In 2021, four Maldivian soldiers completed a Dornier pilot program from India's Naval School, the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) said.
Contrary to what MNDF said at the time, Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon said at a press conference held after the departure of the last batch of Indian soldiers that there was not a single pilot at the MNDF who has been licensed to fly the Dornier and helicopters after completing training.
