President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the Maldives and its oceans are vast and that Maldivians would monitor our jurisdiction. The President made the remarks while speaking at the ceremony held at Maafaru International Airport in the Noonu Atoll to launch the Maldives National Defence Force's (MNDF) Air Corps and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
Emphasising that the Maldives isn't a small nation, the President stated that the Maldives stretches along nine hundred thousand square kilometres and is capable of monitoring its jurisdiction. He added that the Maldives is an independent and sovereign nation and that surveillance of the Maldives' jurisdiction should not concern any external parties. He further explained that this would not impede the Maldives’ close relations with all countries.
President Dr Muizzu announced new initiatives to strengthen the nation’s military capabilities. He revealed the initiative to mobilise resources to recondition neglected military resources and bring them up to a standard for military use and public service. The President stated that the Administration would double the capacity of the Coast Guard, expand the Air Corps fleet, and enhance land-based vehicles and platforms.
In his speech, the President affirmed the importance of the Maldives navigating its course towards self-reliance and remaining an independent and sovereign nation in every aspect. He highlighted that defending the nation is a duty befalling all citizens and that the nation's independence and sovereignty must be in the common interest of the entire populace, despite varying ideologies.