Aerial Surveillance has Reduced Unauthorised Activity in Maldivian Waters, Minister Says
Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoonspeaking at the Victory Day ceremony on November 3, 2025 | Photo: Ministry of Defence
Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon said last night that the use of air operations in monitoring the Maldives’ ocean territory has led to a reduction in unauthorised vessels operating in the area.
Speaking to Public Service Media (PSM), Minister Ghassan said the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Air Corps, established on 15 March 2024, has enabled the MNDF to integrate air operations into routine activities such as surveillance and search and rescue.
“When we talk about the Maldivian sea, we are referring to a region that is much larger than we can imagine. Maldivian military personnel are legally required to oversee an area of about 1 million square kilometers,” he said.
The Minister said that since the establishment of the Air Corps, more than 170 air operations have been conducted. He added that aerial support is now used in most operations where the Coast Guard apprehends vessels operating illegally within Maldivian waters.
“As the world realizes that this began in the Maldives, we are seeing a trend of a decrease in the number of illegal fishing boats operating in our waters,” he explained.
Minister Ghassan noted that the first MNDF air station was established in Gan, Addu Atoll, in November last year. He said daily operations are now conducted from the facility, allowing surveillance coverage across the southernmost regions of the Maldives, extending up to 200 nautical miles offshore.
He also announced that development of a second air station in the north is expected to be completed within this year. The facility is being established in Funadhoo, Shaviyani Atoll.
The Minister further said an order has been issued requiring the use of aerial assets for all necessary operations within Maldivian territory to ensure continuous, 24-hour defence and surveillance of national airspace. He said the directive also mandates the MNDF to establish and operationalise air stations to ensure the sustainable fulfilment of its duties.
