President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday officially inaugurated the Maldives National Defence Force’s (MNDF) first dedicated air station, named the Gan Air Station.
This landmark event held during President Dr Muizzu’s ongoing visit to Addu City, formalises a key component of the island nation’s defense strategy, significantly expanding the capabilities of the newly constituted Air Corps.
The commissioning of Gan Air Station follows a Presidential Decree issued on 3 November, which established the core mission for the MNDF’s air wing. Under the Decree, the MNDF Air Corps had been directed to establish and operationalise the air station to support airspace surveillance, monitoring of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the execution of Air Corps operations. The Decree further mandates the implementation of 24-hour continuous airspace surveillance over the EEZ to ensure the Air Corps effectively fulfils its operational and national security responsibilities.
The establishment of the Air Corps itself was formalised earlier on 15 March 2024, under a separate Presidential Decree. The opening of Gan Air Station fulfills the subsequent directive for the MNDF to establish and commence service of its first air station, ensuring the MNDF can fully execute its duties.
President Dr Muizzu had previously inaugurated the MNDF’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) service at a ceremony held at Maafaru International Airport last year. With the commissioning of the Gan Air Station, all air military operations necessary to maintain the security of Maldivian airspace have now been fully launched.
Following the formal inauguration ceremony, the President conducted a comprehensive inspection of the new facility. The Gan Air Station will provide a major and immediate boost to the country’s maritime and airspace management capabilities, positioning the MNDF to independently secure and defend the island nation’s sovereign territory.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, President Dr Muizzu asserted that a robust military is a cornerstone for enhancing a nation's economic resilience, pointing out that the newly established air station will significantly bolster the Maldives' capacity to safeguard its vital territorial waters and airspace.
The President elaborated on the ongoing efforts to develop the MNDF's Air Corps capabilities, which include acquiring essential resources and investing in personnel training.
The inauguration of the Gan Air Station marks a significant step, with plans already underway for a second air station in Funadhoo, Shaviyani Atoll, he revealed.
The President emphasised that a strong military is crucial for attracting foreign investment, as ensuring the nation's security and safety is paramount for potential investors. He further posited that as military capabilities are solidified, economic growth will naturally follow.
"The doubling of the Coast Guard fleet and the acquisition of resources for the Marine Corps are underway," he announced, adding that investments in the human development of MNDF will be a key component of next year's state budget.
For the Maldives to achieve its aspiration of becoming a developed nation by the year 2040, President Dr Muizzu stressed that building a formidable military is indispensable. He declared the coming year to be pivotal in augmenting military capabilities across various fronts.
The Air Corp, he detailed, is set to be strengthened through the acquisition of military aircraft, the development of cyber warfare defenses against digital threats, and the integration of a comprehensive defense system for complete national protection.
The administration’s overarching goal, he concluded, is to mold the MNDF into an advanced, technologically sophisticated entity across all operational domains.