The Maldives Coast Guard has successfully apprehended a foreign fishing vessel illegally operating in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with the assistance of drone technology.

According to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), the fishing boat was detected and tracked by an MNDF Air Corps drone before being seized by the Coast Guard.

This marks another successful use of drones in maritime operations.

Earlier this year, in April, the MNDF deployed the drone to locate a missing fishing boat, Farihi 2, which had gone adrift from Meemu Atoll Maduvvari with three people onboard.

The MNDF Air Corps employs Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones, renowned for their advanced capabilities.

These drones can operate at altitudes of 18,000 to 25,000 feet, with speeds ranging between 70 and 120 km/h.

They are equipped with night vision technology, allowing them to transmit real-time images and videos even in low-light conditions.

Capable of flying for 27 to 50 hours continuously, the Bayraktar TB2 drones can also be armed if necessary.