Trouble with India proved costly, Maldives does not have pilots to fly Dornier planes and helicopters.

The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has no Maldivian troops to operate the three aircraft donated by the Indian Army. Whereas some soldiers were trained to fly them under the agreements made by previous governments.

After 76 Indian defense personnel left Maldives on the orders of Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu, the army there is seeing stars in the day. Maldivian Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon has admitted that the Maldivian Army still does not have capable pilots to operate the three aircraft donated by India. Ghassan told a press conference held at the President's Office that the Maldives Army was unable to operate two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft given by India.

Responding to a journalist's question, Ghassan said that the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) does not have any Maldivian soldiers who can operate the three aircraft donated by the Indian Army. While some soldiers were given flying training under the agreements made by previous governments.

Ghassan said that training in flying the aircraft was to be taken at various stages, but this training has not been completed. Therefore, at present there is no person in our force who is licensed to fly the two helicopters and the Dornier or is fully capable of flying them.

India recalled 76 military personnel

Relations between the two countries came under severe strain after pro-China leader Muizzu insisted on the withdrawal of all Indian military personnel operating three aviation platforms in the island nation by May 10. India has already withdrawn 76 military personnel.

However, the Maldives government has no intention of removing Indian doctors from Senhiya Military Hospital, a Maldivian media report said.

In contrast to Ghassan's comments, according to media reports, when senior officials of the current administration were in opposition during the past five years, he criticized the previous government and claimed that there were capable pilots in the MNDF.

Maldives could not provide training

It said the main reason for the arrival of Indian troops, along with helicopters donated during the governments of former Presidents Mohammed Nasheed and Abdulla Yameen and Dornier aircraft brought during the government of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, was to train the Maldivians.

Despite the failure to complete training to date, Foreign Minister Zameer said the agreement to replace Indian troops with civilians also includes provisions for training local pilots.