The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Air Corps has been inaugurated.

As the Commander-in-Chief of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu launched the MNDF Air Corps and unveiled Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) during a ceremony held on Friday night.

The establishment of the island nation’s first-ever Air Force and the deployment of the UAVs into the force mirrors an influential and significant step in preserving the independence and sovereignty of Maldives.

The service is expected to contribute immensely towards efforts to maintain the security and safety of Maldives’ maritime territories as well as preventing illicit activities.

Unveiling the UAV into service, the president signed the decree to start MNDF's air surveillance in the Maldives at Friday’s ceremony.

President Muizzu was also given a seven-gun salute to mark the commencement of UAV and 'air surveillance' services.

Friday’s ceremony also saw the president launching ‘Ras'ain’, an application for fishermen and travelers.

Ras’ain allows users to track weather alerts as well as important messages from the Coast Guard and locate schools of fish.

Users will also be able to utilize the app for other vital functions.