Turkey to donate missile-capable naval vessel to Maldives
President Mohamed Muizzu made his first state visit to Turkey in December 2023.
The Turkish military has announced the planned donation of a Dogan-class fast attack craft, TCG Volkan (P-343), to the Maldives under a military cooperation agreement between the two countries.
According to a report by Turkiye Today, the agreement includes the transfer of the missile-capable vessel, which was formerly used by the Turkish Navy. Defence Ministry officials in Turkey confirmed the arrangement, stating that the ship will be handed over to the Maldives either this month or the next.
The TCG Volkan has been in service with the Turkish Navy since May 1984. Designed by a German company, it was the first vessel in the Turkish fleet to be equipped with Harpoon anti-ship missiles. In recent years, the ship has been used primarily for weapons testing and training purposes.
Before its transfer, the ship will undergo repairs at a naval shipyard in Istanbul. It will then be transported to the Maldives by sea using a dock landing ship. A Turkish naval team will also be deployed to the Maldives to activate onboard systems, including the missile system.
A two-week training programme for Maldivian military personnel is scheduled to take place following the ship's arrival. In addition, Maldivian soldiers who will serve on the vessel are currently undergoing training in Turkey. These exercises began on a Monday and are scheduled to conclude in May.
The Anadolu Agency reported that a weapons system on board the ship is being demonstrated during current Turkish military exercises.
There have been unverified reports on social media suggesting that the Maldivian government may have agreed to the exchange of land or other assets in return for the donation. The government has not officially commented on these claims.
The Maldives has expanded its defence ties with Turkey in recent months. President Mohamed Muizzu made his first state visit to Turkey in December 2023. Following the visit, the Maldives acquired Turkish military drones, which are now in use by the Maldivian armed forces.
