Minister of Defence, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, has stated that the unauthorized entry of vessels into Maldivian territorial waters has significantly decreased since the inauguration of the Maldives Air Corps. The Minister highlighted that the establishment of an aerial surveillance system has led to substantial advancements in operations to detect and intercept illegal fishing vessels operating within the nation’s Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ).
The Maldives’ first air station was inaugurated last November in Addu Atoll Gan, with current operations extending across 200 nautical miles in the southern region. Furthermore, the government aims to complete the establishment of a northern air station in Sh. Funadhoo within this year. Established by a Presidential Decree, the primary objective of the Air Corps is to safeguard the independence and sovereignty of the Maldives, while ensuring continuous, 24-hour surveillance of the country’s airspace and maritime economic zones.
