A Japanese military aircraft has arrived in the Maldives on a mission to evacuate Japanese nationals in the Middle East due to the ongoing war.

The KC-767 aerial refuelling and transportation aircraft took off from the ASDF Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture and arrived in the Maldives on Sunday (March 8).

It is an unarmed Boeing aircraft designed to carry people, cargo and refuel in space.

Japanese newspapers said the aircraft would be ready to operate in an emergency. Its purpose is to provide assistance in the event of cancellation of chartered flights to the Middle East.

The KC-767, which has a capacity of about 200 people, is carrying some 30 Self-Defence Force (SDF) personnel.

The Japanese government is arranging chartered flights to countries such as Oman and Saudi Arabia to evacuate its citizens.