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Maldives National Defence Force

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Maldives National Defense Force
ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ދިފާއީ ބާރު (Dhivehi)
Emblem
Flag
MottoDefending & safeguarding the Maldivian state, territory, exclusive economic zone & the people, with pride, sense of responsibility & professionalism
Founded21 April 1892; 132 years ago (1892-04-21)[1]
Service branches
HeadquartersBandaara Koshi, Malé
Websitemndf.gov.mv
Leadership
Commander-in-ChiefMohamed Muizzu
Ministry of DefenceMohamed Ghassan Maumoon
Chief of Defence ForceMajor General Ibrahim Hilmy
Personnel
Military age18–24[a]
ConscriptionNone
Reaching military
age annually
35 males,
20 females
Active personnel9900+
Reserve personnel7800+
Expenditure
Budget$5.52 million | MVR 85.3 million (2024)[2]
Industry
Foreign suppliers China
 India
 Turkey
 United States
 Germany
 Japan
 Saudi Arabia
 Malaysia
 Russia
 Iran
 Canada
 United Arab Emirates
 France
 United Kingdom
 European Union
Related articles
RanksMilitary ranks of Maldives

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF; Dhivehi: ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ދިފާއީ ބާރު, romanizedDhivehi 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.

History

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Organizational structure

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Combat and maneuver forces

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Coast Guard

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Marine Corps

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Air Corps

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Aircraft
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HAL Dhruv of Maldives National Defense Force gifted by India
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]

Others

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Apart from the combat and maneuver forces, the MNDF also consists of:[11]

  • Support services
    • Service corps
    • Defence intelligence service
    • Medical corps
    • Adjutant general's corps
  • Functional commands

Rank structure

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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]

General officers

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Serving general officers

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Retired general officers

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(Former Commandant, MNDF Service Corps)

(Former Commandant, MNDF Marine Corps)

Dismissed general officers

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Notes

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "History of MNDF". MNDF. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Budget 2024". Ministry of Finance. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  3. ^ "About Us". MNDF. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012.
  4. ^ "Türkiye-ABD Savunma Ticareti Diyaloğu için anlaşma sağlandı" (in Turkish). 2024-03-09. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  5. ^ "Maldives receives renowned Turkish drones amid India tensions". Daily Sabah. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  6. ^ "World Air Forces 2023". Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  7. ^ Hadi, Ahmedulla Abdul (1 October 2020). "MNDF puts off disclosing info on Indian donated aircraft". Sun. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  8. ^ "India Hands Over Surveillance Aircraft to Maldives Amid Strategic Tussle with China". xairforces.com. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  9. ^ "HAL workers may replace military staff in Maldives". The Times of India. 2024-02-09. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  10. ^ Anandan, S. (14 December 2013). "India donates second naval Advanced Light Helicopter to Maldives". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Organization". Maldives National Defence Force. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Ranks Used". MNDF. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012.
  13. ^ "Chief of Defence Force". MNDF. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Vice Chief of Defence Force". MNDF. Retrieved 12 July 2024.

Notes

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  1. ^ Voluntary service for individuals aged 18–24; no conscription; requires a 10th grade education or equivalent; political party membership is prohibited (2024)
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