Boosting military without compromising others, president says
The President added that existing military equipment such as fuel tankers were outdated and non-functional.
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President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that investment in strengthening the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) is not being made at the expense of other essential government activities. He noted that the country’s defence sector had seen limited progress over the past two decades.
Speaking at a press conference held on Saturday — the first time in nearly six years that a sitting president met with the media — President Muizzu presented an overview of his administration’s current initiatives. A section of the presentation focused on developments in the military sector.
The President said efforts to increase military capability had been absent for the past 20–25 years and described it as a state responsibility to maintain and strengthen the country’s defence capacity.
“We are not preparing for war. Maldives seeks peace, and our region should remain peaceful. But it is our duty to ensure that our sovereignty and territory are secured,” he said.
The President added that existing military equipment such as fuel tankers were outdated and non-functional, and that new investment would be made in upgrading fire and rescue services under the MNDF during 2025 and 2026.
According to the President, the Coast Guard’s capacity is also being expanded to enhance maritime protection.
“The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Maldives is extensive. Few countries manage such a large maritime area. Increasing the capacity of the Coast Guard is necessary to ensure territorial integrity,” he said.
He further stated that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) had been brought in to support the monitoring and protection of the EEZ. These additions, he said, are being made to ensure that the country can independently manage its own maritime and territorial boundaries.
Referring to recent regional developments, the President noted that foreign actors were reportedly operating within the Maldives’ Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and reiterated the need for adequate surveillance and defence infrastructure.
While addressing the topic of regional defence investments, the President noted that the Maldivian military had recently acquired armoured vehicles. The cost of these vehicles has not been publicly disclosed. He also referred to Turkey’s decision to donate a missile launcher to Maldives.
