MDP Accuses Gov’t of Dubious Military Drone Acquisition

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has raised accusations against the government’s acquisition of military drones from a Turkish company, deeming the purchase abrupt and dubious.

During a press conference convened to outline the MDP’s campaign for the upcoming parliamentary elections in April, Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa, acting as the party’s campaign spokesperson, raised concerns about the government’s decision-making process. 

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Easa alleged that several ongoing projects initiated by the previous administration were halted to allocate funds from the contingency budget for the procurement of drones. He claimed that discussions were underway with a friendly nation during the MDP’s tenure, offering surveillance drone technology to the Maldives at no cost.

“The change in government occurred while negotiations were ongoing between senior officials from both nations regarding the provision of this technology. This timing raises suspicions,” Easa remarked. He asserted that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu hastily finalised the drone purchase during his visit to Turkey, despite the absence of allocation in the current budget.

According to Easa, the government expanded over USD 30 million on the drone acquisition, diverting resources from what he deemed as more pressing national priorities. “There are myriad crucial tasks for the government to address to enhance the well-being of Maldivian citizens. However, instead of prioritising these needs, the current administration opted to terminate 1,720 projects initiated by its predecessor,” Easa stated.

Expressing further apprehension, Easa suggested that the drone procurement might have been motivated by fundraising objectives for the parliamentary election campaign. “We harbour strong suspicions regarding this matter. It is possible that the drones were acquired at inflated prices, surpassing the standard market rates for such technology,” Easa elaborated, hinting at discrepancies in the procurement process.

Moreover, Easa claimed that the MDP possesses information on alternative avenues for procuring drones at more cost-effective rates, insinuating possible mismanagement or inefficiencies in the government’s procurement procedures.