India asked to take back gifted helicopter
Maldives wants a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to replace the “Dhruv” Advanced Light Helicopter, the Times of India reported.
04 Apr 2018, 9:00 AM
The Maldives has asked India to take back one of two naval helicopters gifted for use by the military to transport critical patients and conduct search and rescue operations.
Citing a top Maldivian government source, the Times of India reported Wednesday that Malé wants a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to replace the ‘Dhruv’ Advanced Light Helicopter, which presently operates out of the southernmost atoll.
The Maldives government chose not to renew the letter of exchange for the helicopter when it expired recently, TOI said, despite previous renewals every two years.
The newspaper suggested the development will further strain relations between India and Maldives after public spats over a 45-day state of emergency last month.
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