Turkey's naval vessel donation to boost Indian Ocean security, Maldives says

Turkey's decision to donate a naval vessel to Maldives will further strengthen the ability of the Maldivian army to maintain security in the Indian Ocean, the Maldivian defence ministry said Saturday.

The Turkish government has confirmed the donation of a naval vessel to the Maldives under a military cooperation agreement between the two countries, according to a report published by Turkiye Today.

The vessel, TCG Volkan (P-343), is a Dogan-class fast attack craft formerly operated by the Turkish Navy. The ship is capable of launching missiles and was previously used by Turkey for defence operations, weapons testing, and training. Turkish defence officials stated that the vessel will be transferred to the Maldives either this month or the next, following repairs at a naval shipyard in Istanbul.

The Maldivian Ministry of Defence issued a statement, addressing speculation surrounding the arrival of the naval vessel. The ministry stated that the decision is aligned with President Mohamed Muizzu’s policy direction to increase national defence capacity and enhance maritime security.

According to the ministry, the transfer of the vessel is part of ongoing efforts to double the operational capacity of the Maldives Coast Guard and reflects the outcome of strengthened military cooperation with international partners.

The statement noted that President Muizzu’s administration has prioritised national sovereignty and security, and that the country has begun to receive military assistance from international allies as a result of this policy.

The ministry also said that the vessel will contribute to the Maldives’ capacity to uphold maritime security responsibilities in the Indian Ocean and its obligations under the constitution and the Armed Forces Act.

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.