Maldives says their pilots are not capable of operating Indian aircraft despite ongoing training
Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon has acknowledged that its Maldives military still does not have pilots capable of operating three aircraft donated by India, days after 76 Indian defence personnel left the island nation at the instance of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu.
India had withdrawn 76 military personnel from Maldives, as confirmed by Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon.
The Maldivian minister made the remarks at a press conference held at the President’s Office to brief the media about the withdrawal of Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives to operate two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft and their replacement with civilians from India.
It was revealed in the press conference that despite ongoing training, no Maldivian soldiers in the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) are certified to operate these aircraft, local media reported.
“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 AHL platforms and Dornier,” Ghassan said at the press conference held at the President’s Office.
The lack of training among the MNDF soldiers was the main reason why Indian soldiers arrived with the Indian helicopters donated during former the governments of Maldivian Presidents Mohamed Nasheed and Abdulla Yameen. Indian soldiers also arrived with the Dornier aircraft brought during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih‘s government.
The Indian military personnel were primarily in Maldives to train locals in operating the donated aircraft, a task yet to be completed.
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