Maldives National Defense Force | |
Motto: | Defending & safeguarding the Maldivian state, territory, exclusive economic zone & the people, with pride, sense of responsibility & professionalism |
Founded: | [1] |
Headquarters: | Bandaara Koshi, Malé |
Commander-In-Chief: | Mohamed Muizzu |
Commander-In-Chief Title: | Commander-in-Chief |
Minister: | Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon |
Minister Title: | Ministry of Defence |
Commander: | Major General Ibrahim Hilmy |
Commander Title: | Chief of Defence Force |
Age: | 18–24 |
Conscription: | None |
Reaching: | 35 |
Reaching F: | 20 |
Active: | 9900+ |
Reserve: | 7800+ |
Amount: | $5.52 million MVR 85.3 million (2024)[2] |
Foreign Suppliers: | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Ranks: | Military ranks of Maldives |
Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF; Divehi; Dhivehi; Maldivian: ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ދިފާއީ ބާރު|translit=Dhivehi Raajjeyge Qaumee Dhifaaee Baaru) is the national military responsible for defending the security and sovereignty of the Maldives. It is primarily responsible per the constitution to defend and protect the Republic, its territorial integrity, its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the people.[3] Its branches include the Maldivian Coast Guard, the MNDF Marine Corps, and MNDF Air Corps.
See main article: Maldivian Coast Guard.
See main article: MNDF Marine Corps.
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unmanned combat aerial vehicle | ||||||
Bayraktar TB2 | Turkey | UCAV | 6[4] | Bought From Turkey.[5] | ||
Transport | ||||||
Dornier 228 | Germany/India | maritime patrol | 1[6] | Gifted by India[7] [8] | ||
Helicopters | ||||||
HAL Dhruv | India | SAR / utility | Mk.3 | 2[9] | Gifted by India[10] |
Apart from the combat and maneuver forces, the MNDF also consists of:[11]
See main article: Military ranks of Maldives. The ranking system of the MNDF is based on the traditional British military system and U.S. military system. The highest flag rank ever awarded was that of lieutenant general, in a non-military capacity to the previous Defence Minister Abdul Sattar, although the president being the commander in chief also holds the rank of general in a non-military capacity.[12]
(Former Commandant, MNDF Service Corps)
(Former Commandant, MNDF Marine Corps)