In a landmark boost to national defense, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) tonight received its first-ever missile boat — a powerful Doğan-class vessel donated by the Republic of Türkiye — underscoring President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to modernising the nation’s military capabilities.
The vessel, formerly the TCG Volkan (P-343), was officially handed over in a special ceremony at the MPL area of Hulhumalé, attended by President Muizzu and top defence officials. This strategic addition, gifted under a bilateral agreement to strengthen Maldivian defence resources, comes with both advanced equipment and training support from Türkiye.
Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy hailed the acquisition as a game-changer, noting that the 45-year-old vessel — recently refurbished and reclassified as a test and training ship — is now the largest and most heavily armed craft in MNDF service. “In terms of weaponry and firepower, this vessel belongs to a completely different class than our current Coast Guard fleet” Hilmy said.
The Doğan-class, designed by Germany’s Lürssen Werft and once pivotal to the Turkish Navy’s operations, was the first in Türkiye to carry Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Maldivian personnel have already undergone months of specialised training in Türkiye to operate the ship.
Since taking office, President Muizzu has prioritised maritime security, acquiring military drones, patrol craft, and other assets. His first official foreign visit was to Türkiye, where extensive defence talks paved the way for these new capabilities.
