The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has stated that the "Guardian Class" patrol boat donated by the Australian government will be brought to the Maldives in late April.
Following the official handover of the patrol boat or naval vessel donated by the Australian government to the Maldives yesterday, a news release published by the MNDF stated that this new vessel is scheduled to be brought to Male' in late May this year, after the completion of special training and sea trials conducted for the vessel's crew in Australia.
The ceremony to hand over the patrol boat to the MNDF, held yesterday at HMAS Stirling Naval Base in Perth, Australia, was graced by Rear Admiral Brett Sonter of the Royal Australian Navy and the Commandant of the MNDF Coast Guard, Brigadier General Mohamed Saleem. In this ceremony, which proceeded in accordance with naval military traditions and customs, after the exchange of the vessel handover documents, the commanding officer and crew boarded the vessel, hoisted the Maldivian flag, and officially took charge of the vessel, according to the MNDF.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Commandant of the MNDF Coast Guard, Brigadier General Mohamed Saleem, noted that this is an invaluable assistance received to ensure the maritime security of the Maldives, and expressed his gratitude to the Australian government. In his speech, Rear Admiral Brett Sonter of the Royal Australian Navy highlighted the importance of the strong relationship between the two countries in facing regional security challenges.
This vessel is an asset acquired through the efforts of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, with the Australian government, under his policy to strengthen the defense capabilities of the Maldivian military and protect the independence and sovereignty of the Maldives. The MNDF noted this as a very important assistance received to monitor and protect the maritime territory of the Maldives, and to increase the capability of the Maldivian military in facing maritime threats and challenges.
Doubling the operational capacity of the Coast Guard and making the MNDF a force capable of fully monitoring the maritime territory of the Maldives is an important pledge of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
