Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi has said that the current Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) is very prepared for an attack such as that of 3 November 1988 and the MNDF is very professional.

Speaking on the occasion of the Victory Day in the Maldives on Raajje TV’s “Fashaairu” program this morning, Minister Mariya said that the Maldivian army has conducted drills and are very prepared.

She said that if a similar terrorist attack is to take place in the country, the radar systems will detect it and so the force will not be caught off guard in a surprise attack. Minister Mariya said that radar systems are being installed across the Maldivian territory to identify the vessels entering the Maldivian waters.

Noting that the country was not ready for an attack on 3 November 1988, the Defence Minister said that compared to the past, the military is more vigilant ad prepared and have regional command bases as well.

Minister Mariya said that the MNDF works in unison to protect the Maldivian people.