The government of Japan has granted maritime domain awareness equipment to Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
The equipment was granted as part of the Global Maritime Crime Programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and funded by the Japanese government. The equipment was handed over by Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives Keiko Yanai to Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi during a ceremony held at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre of MNDF Coast Guard in Villimale’.
Speaking at the ceremony, the defence minister thanked the Japanese government for the continued assistance in enhancing safety and security of the Maldives. She highlighted the equipment and vehicles which were used to put out the fire which broke out in Male’ City on August 28 had also been donated by Japan.
MNDF stated the maritime domain awareness equipment will be established in the National Maritime Information Fusion Centre. MNDF said the equipment will help to increase the surveillance of vessels travelling within the territorial waters of the Maldives and strengthen the operations of the MNDF Coast Guard. MNDF stated the equipment will help to enhance maritime safety and security of the Maldives.