Defence chief says current govt has made record investment in MNDF

A total of 806 personnel have joined the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's administration, according to Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy.

Speaking at a ceremony held on Tuesday to inaugurate the MNDF's recreational and sporting activities marking Victory Day, Hilmy said the President had increased recruitment and introduced several measures to strengthen the military's operational capabilities.

He said the government had undertaken a range of initiatives to develop the MNDF over the past three years.

"The list of things President Dr Muizzu has done for the MNDF is very long. We are announcing these initiatives with great pride," Hilmy said.

He described the current presidential term as the period in which the largest investment had been made in developing the MNDF.

Hilmy outlined several initiatives undertaken by the administration, including the acquisition of military equipment, expansion of maritime capabilities, development of infrastructure and improvements to emergency response services.

Among the developments highlighted was the acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, to monitor Maldivian territory and the establishment of an MNDF Air Corps.

He said an MNDF air station had been established in Gan, Addu City, while work had begun to develop another air station in Fonadhoo, Shaviyani Atoll.

The government has also acquired a naval vessel from Türkiye and another from Australia to expand the Coast Guard's fleet.

Hilmy said five of the 20 interceptor boats pledged by President Muizzu had been delivered.

He also highlighted the commencement of work to add 12 vessels to the country's sea ambulance fleet.

As part of efforts to improve maritime emergency response, a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre has been established in Vilimalé to strengthen and accelerate rescue operations involving vessels and individuals in distress within Maldivian waters.

Hilmy said firefighting services had been introduced in Maafushi, Kaafu Atoll, while the government had decided to establish additional fire stations across all atolls.

He also referred to the reclamation of land at Girifushi to expand the MNDF's training facilities, increasing the island's land area threefold.

Other infrastructure projects include the construction of a 15-storey building at Kalhuthukkalaakoshi and plans to develop residential flats for MNDF personnel at Bandeyrikoshi.

The Defence Chief said these initiatives formed part of the government's efforts to improve the MNDF's operational capacity, infrastructure and services.

The remarks were made during Victory Day celebrations on 3 November, which commemorates the defeat of the attempted coup against the Maldives in 1988.