Independent border surveillance: A historical achievement

Despite the Maldives being an independent nation for almost 60 years, the country’s military lacked capability to surveil its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) round-the-clock subsequent to which Maldives have always sought assistance from foreign nations in these efforts.

This practice will come to end tonight.

The inauguration of round-the-clock surveillance of Maldives’ EEZ via military drone is slated for later tonight at N. Maafaru. Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has decided to establish a specific base for military drone operations at Maafaru in this trajectory.

Two ‘Bayraktar TB2’ drones have now been brought to the Maldives to commence these operations under an agreement executed with the Turkish government.

What is ‘Bayraktar TB2’?

Türkiye first operationalized the drone in 2014.

The drone measures 6.5 meters in length and has 12-meter wings. It weighs approximately 700 kilos. The drone has a communication range of up to 300 kilometers and a payload capacity of 150 kilograms.

Equipped with the most up-to-date technology, the drone can fly for 27 hours at a speed of 70 to 120 knots. It has an operational maximum altitude of 18,000 to 25,000 feet.

The drone, capable of conducting surgical precision strikes, will be operated by a special team of the MNDF.

In addition to its capability to conduct intelligence surveillance operations – the drone can also carry out attack missions. The Turkish military has successfully used the drone in its operations since 2014.

How important?

Decreasing Maldives’ dependency on foreign nations for security-related matters and basix necessities is an electoral pledge of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

His policy is to completely eliminate the involvement of foreign military in the surveillance of Maldives’ EEZ.

Prior to this, Maldives’ EEZ has been surveilled with the assistance of neighboring foreign nations. While radar systems have been installed in some Maldivian regions, local authorities do not have control over these systems.

As a result, instances such as Maldives’ maritime area being breached by a foreign vessel or other being a ground for other crimes such as drug trafficking come to attention when the foreign parties holding control over these systems notify local authorities.

Earlier, President Muizzu said the security of 99 percent of the Maldives has not been upheld to date, adding only atolls and its surrounding areas are surveilled.

“That has been our capacity since early times. If a foreign party enters and abuses this huge, there is nothing we can do in reality. There is nothing we can do even if it poses a huge danger to us. We had nothing we can do without someone else’s help,” he said.

President Muizzu cited this as the main reason behind the lack of sense of true independence and self-sufficiency. However, the operationalization of the military drones tonight will change this whole front. Maldivians will begin surveilling Maldives’ territory.