The warship donated by Turkey to the Maldives has been commissioned into the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and brought into service.
The ceremony to officially hand over and commission the warship was held tonight at the Hulhumale' MPL Port, graced by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
During the ceremony, the warship gifted by the Turkish government was handed over to the MNDF. The event was attended by Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, state dignitaries, members of parliament, ministers, the Turkish Ambassador to the Maldives Semih Lutfu Turgut, the Maldivian Ambassador to Turkey Lieutenant General (Retired) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, and Rear Admiral Rustu Sezer of the Turkish Navy, along with former senior military officers, heads of companies, and senior military personnel. The warship was officially handed over to the MNDF by the Fleet Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces, Kadir Yildiz. Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy received the warship on behalf of the MNDF.
Following the official handover, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu unveiled the name board of the warship before its commissioning. The President also handed over the Maldivian national flag to be hoisted on the ship and the commissioning document to the Commanding Officer of the warship, Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Shinan. In accordance with naval traditions, the Maldivian national flag was hoisted at the bow and the military flag at the stern, and the commissioning pennant was placed on the ship. As the flag bearers hoisted the national flag, a formal salute was given and the national anthem was played. After commissioning, the warship was brought into service under the name "Coast Guard Ship Dharumavantha". This is the largest warship added to the Maldivian military's naval fleet to date.
The TCG Volkan (P-343) warship donated by Turkey is equipped with weapon management systems, integrated with fire control radar, and other modern facilities. The MNDF states that the military capabilities and high speed of this vessel will greatly enhance the MNDF Coast Guard's efforts in fulfilling its role and responsibilities in monitoring and safeguarding the Maldivian territory and Exclusive Economic Zone. It is also described as a very complete and strong defensive shield added to the Maldivian military's naval fleet, deployed to defend and sustain the Maldivian nation.
The warship will be operated by Maldivian military personnel trained in Turkey. The MNDF also stated that Maldivian soldiers will navigate and maintain the vessel.
The Ministry of Defence noted that the commissioning of this warship is an important step towards achieving President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's goal of making the Maldivian military capable of fully fulfilling its role as a responsible member of the international community in ensuring the security of the Maldivian maritime zone and maintaining the safety and security of the Indian Ocean.
