Neighbours India and Pakistan pledged to assist the Maldives in establishing an air force of the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), Adam Shareef Umar, Minister of Defense and National Security announced on Monday.
Under the Maldives National Defence Force’s efforts to establish an air force, neighbours India and Pakistan have both pledged to provide MNDF with fighter jets. In an exclusive interview with PSM News, the Defense Minister revealed that India would provide 3 fighter jets, while Pakistan have pledged 2 military aircraft. Pakistan would provide the fighter jets on credit.
img:http://s3.psmnews.mv/images/660x400/8311.jpg|Adam Shareef Umar, Minister of Defence and National Security, during a visit to an Indian military base in New Delhi, India - FILE Photo: Indian High Commission
Citing recent discussions with defence officials of India, the Defence Minister said India would also assist the Maldives in training officers for MNDF air force.
The Minister said the Government aims to train officers prior to the establishment of the air force. The Defence Ministry would begin this month the process of seeking interested candidates for the training programmes provided by the Indian Government, Adam Shareef Umar added.
The existing MNDF air wing was established with assistance from the Indian Government, and operates a helicopter. The Indian Government also gifted a military aircraft last year, which the Defence Ministry said, would be operationalized after training local airmen. The Defence Minister sees the establishment of an air force as a vital step in protecting the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The Government has already begun work to establish an air force, with the designation of Kahdhoo Airport as a military air base. According to the Defence Ministry, it is currently seeking an investor to develop the air base.