Türkiye to donate naval vessel with missile capabilities to Maldives

Türkiye is set to donate a naval vessel to the Maldives with missile capabilities.

According to Turkish news outlet, Türkiye Today, Türkiye will be donating the TCG Volkan (P-343), a Dogan-class fast attack craft, to the Maldives as part of a bilateral agreement aimed at strengthening Maldives’ maritime defense infrastructure.

Citing the Turkish Ministry of Defense, Türkiye Today said the donation is part of a broader Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Türkiye and the Maldives which is aimed at enhancing Maldives’ defense capabilities through material support and training.

TCG Volkan has undergone maintenance and repairs at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command as part of transfer preparations. The vessel is scheduled be transported to the Maldives via a dock landing ship between April and June 2025.

Upon its arrival in the Maldives, the missile boat will be commissioned by a team from the Turkish Navy. The full transfer process is projected to be completed by July.

Training for Maldivian personnel designated to operate the vessel commenced in Türkiye on April 7 and is scheduled to conclude by May 9.

Following deployment, Turkish naval instructors will conduct two weeks of advanced operational training onboard the vessel for the full Maldivian crew.

TCG Volkan (P-343) was commissioned into the Turkish Navy in May 1981 and reclassified in 2024 as a test and training vessel.

According to the Maldivian Ministry of Defense, the vessel is being integrated into the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) to enhance its capacity to safeguard the security of the Indian Ocean, in line with the nation's commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities as a responsible member of the international community. Moreover, the Ministry noted that it was the aim of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the head of security force, to double the capacity of Coastguard.

As such, the Ministry described the donation as a crucial step towards attaining the President’s goal.

The Ministry also noted that the increased capability of MNDF would serve as a huge step forward in fulfilling the responsibilities bestowed upon the security force by the constitution.

As per the Ministry, Maldivian soldiers are already undergoing training in Türkiye in preparation to operate the vessel in the Maldives.

The Ministry described the feat as a result of strengthening ties with friendly nations.

Notably, MNDF’s Air Corps was established last year after acquiring two Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from Türkiye.

President Muizzu’s first visit overseas after assuming office had been to Türkiye.