Maldives Military Lacks Pilots Who Can Fly Aircrafts Donated by India

The Maldives military is not having skilled pilots who can fly the three aircraft donated by India, said Maldives Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon.

He made this statement after 76 Indian defence personnel left the Maldives because of pressure from China supporter Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu.

At a press conference held at the Maldives President’s Office on Saturday,  Ghassan Maumoon said there were no Maldivian soldiers with the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) who can operate the three aircraft donated by the Indian military despite some soldiers who began training to fly them under agreements formed by previous governments.

“As it was a training that required passing various stages, our soldiers had not reached completion due to various reasons. Therefore, there aren’t any people in our force at the moment who are licensed or fully operational to fly the two helicopters and Dornier aircraft,” Ghassan Maumoon was quoted as saying by Adhadhu.com news portal.