Air Elements

Maldivian Air Elements
ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ދިފާއީ ބާރު
Active 1 January 1978 – present
Country  Maldives
Branch Maldives National Defence Force
Type Air Force
Size 1 Aircraft
Engagements 1988 Maldives coup d'état
Insignia
Roundel
Aircraft flown
Helicopter HAL Dhruv

The Maldivian Air Elements is the air wing of the Maldivian Coast Guard.

History

The Maldivian Coast Guard Air Elements was formed as a part of the Maldives National Defence Force in 1978 with one HAL Do 228 donated by India. In 2003 India Donated two HAL Dhruv's.

Capabilities

The mandate of MNDF's Air Wing will be to protect and safeguard the Maldivian Airspace, to monitor the illegal and suspicious activities within Maldivian waters and to conduct search, rescue and surveillance operations.[1] In addition, the Air Wing would be responsible in transferring patients to the health centres in emergency cases. In the future, Air Wing would be used in taking Special Forces across the country to counter terrorist attacks within the area.[1]

In addition, the Air Wing would be responsible in transferring patients to the health centers in emergency cases. The aircraft of the Air Wing are also used in transportation of the troops of Special Forces (Maldives) to areas of counter terrorist attacks.[2]

Inventory

Current inventory

Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Helicopters
HAL Dhruv India SAR / utility 2[3] -

Retired Inventory: Mil Mi-17, HAL Do 228

References

  1. 1 2 "Air wing". MNDF. Archived from the original on November 18, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Air wing". MNDF. Archived from the original on November 18, 2011.
  3. ↑ "World Air Forces 2015 pg. 22". Flightglobal Insight. 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
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