The helicopters gifted by India has been handed over to Maldives National Defense Force.
Defense Minister Adam Shareef Umar, senior officials at the Ministry and MNDF, Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives Akhilesh Mishra, Indian Defense Advisor to the Maldives Captain Prashanth Hand and officials from the High Commission attended the ceremony held today in Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.
Speaking in the ceremony, Minister Adam Shareef said the helicopters were state of the art helicopters, air conditioned and able to assist greatly in rescue missions. He thanked Indian Government for their continued assistance in the developing the defense sector of the nation.
Adam Sharee said the new helicopters and the fleet in Addu City will be stationed at the Kahdhoo military base. He said the helicopter will be used in monitoring the sea area of the country, transport patients and rescue stranded passengers from the sea. He added that as the helicopter was an air-conditioned one, it can be used to host state visitors and dignitaries.
Minister Adam Shareef further said that in addition to the two helicopters, they were working to bring in three airplanes, including a donier boat pledged by the Indian government. He said that both Pakistan and China had pledged assistance to the project.
India gifted helicopters handed to MNDF
