Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has said that the radar system gifted by India will be operated by the Maldivian Defense Force.

The Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal said this during a press conference held at the Coast Guard building today. The Major General said that discussions regarding installing a radar system in Maldives began back in the year 2005.

While 13 radar systems were supposed to be installed, the preparations for installing 10 of the radar systems have begun.

The Major General spoke on installing radar systems and said that while the systems are to be set up across various islands, the installation process will be carried out by Indian military. he reiterated however that operations of the system will be conducted by the Maldives Defense Force members.

The Chief of Defense Force added that Maldives is surrounded by the ocean and that, as such, installing radar systems are long overdue.

He said that a network system to manage coastal radars will be implemented after the installation process. The The Major General noted that there are various incidents at sea that take place in Maldives.

As such, he noted that the difficulties currently faced by the Maldivian Coast Guard in carrying out various work within the surrounding waters. The Major General noted incidents where fishing vessels need to be located after losing contact as well as efforts to apprehend vessels that illegally enter the oceans in Maldives.

He said that the installation of Coastal Radar systems will bring great ease and efficiency to such efforts. Major General Shamal assured that there will be no room for efforts that may, in any case endanger the independence of Maldives. He said that members of the Maldivian Defense Force are willing to die for this sake of the people of this country and added that they would never compromise the independence of this country.