The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has donated two drones to the Maldives Police Service.
Upon formally accepting the drones, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan said the drones would be used by the Marine Operations Division of the Police and would aid in efforts to maintain maritime safety and with the aim of enhancing security.
The drones will also ensure the safety of the police during operations, Ihusaan said.
The UNODC donated drones will be used for short-range operations, Police said.
In a post on X, the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme said that advanced underwater and aerial drones, funded by the European Union, have been delivered to bolster counterterrorism efforts in the Maldives and they will “strengthen capacities to identify dangerous items while ensuring the safety of the officers.”
While the MNDF has two military drones in active deployment, Maldives Customs recently announced the procurement of three droned which are expected to go into service next year — the Customs drones are to be used in collaboration with the MNDF whereby the collective number of drones will increase.
