Australia donates patrol boat, echo sounder to Maldives

Australia has donated a Guardian-class patrol boat and a multi-beam echo sounder to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard.

The donation was announced in a joint statement by Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles. The contribution is part of ongoing cooperation between the two countries to strengthen maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.

The Guardian-class patrol boat is a military vessel constructed in Australia, designed for maritime patrol operations. The vessel will be provided to the Maldives along with supporting equipment and maintenance assistance. It is currently under construction and is expected to be completed next year.

Maldivian Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon stated that the addition of the patrol boat aligns with the President’s vision to strengthen the operational capacity of the MNDF Coast Guard.

According to the statement, the patrol vessel will support efforts to monitor and deter illegal activities in Maldivian territorial waters.

Australia is also donating a multi-beam echo sounder, which is expected to assist the Maldives in conducting hydrographic surveys and producing underwater charts.

The partnership forms part of broader regional cooperation aimed at improving maritime domain awareness and security in the Indian Ocean.