MVR 1.8bn exhausted again, to acquire three drones
The latest drones, believed to be sourced from Turkey, arrived in Addu on Wednesday and Friday nights
President Muizzu and Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon with a drone acquired earlier
The government of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has once again spent a staggering MVR 1.8 billion, (approximately USD 90 million) to procure just three military drones, raising renewed concerns about fiscal mismanagement and misplaced priorities amid a worsening economic crisis.
Former MP for Ungoofaaru constituency Mohamed Waheed drew attention to the latest drone purchase during an MDP rally at Maafannu Bondibaiy Park on Friday night, criticizing the government’s repeated focus on high-cost defense procurements. He pointed out that a similar acquisition had occurred in the lead-up to the parliamentary elections, when the government reportedly spent USD 37 million to acquire another set of three drones.
The latest drones, believed to be sourced from Turkey, arrived in Addu on Wednesday and Friday nights via cargo flights operated by Ruby Star Airways and Air Master. Despite the scale of the transaction and growing public scrutiny, no government agency has provided official information or justification for the purchase. Details surrounding the previous drone acquisition also remain undisclosed.
This pattern of secrecy and extravagant spending has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures, who question the necessity of such military hardware at a time when the state is reportedly struggling to meet basic obligations. With public services under strain and the cost of living rising, the USD 90 million outlay on drones appears increasingly indefensible to many.
Opposition parties have further alleged that the drones were acquired using contingency funds, bypassing standard budgetary procedures, and claim the procurement was intentionally overpriced to funnel money into parliamentary campaign efforts for the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).
As the country’s economic challenges deepen, the administration’s continued investment in military equipment without transparency or public consultation raises serious questions about governance, accountability, and national priorities.
