“The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) received a major upgrade to its maritime capabilities with the delivery of a patrol boat from Australia, the 24th vessel gifted to partner nations under Canberra’s Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP).”
“The Maldives comprises nearly 1,200 coral islands stretching more than 800 kilometers north to south, with its 530,000 inhabitants spread across 200 islands. The nation’s exclusive economic zone, where it has sole rights to marine resources such as fish, fossil fuels and minerals, encompasses almost 1 million square kilometers. Fisheries is the country’s second-largest economic sector after tourism, providing income to more than 20% of the population, according to the World Bank.”
“The Maldives also is deepening defense cooperation with northern neighbor India. In late 2024, Male and New Delhi agreed to strengthen joint maritime surveillance and coordination to counter piracy, illegal fishing and other transnational crime. India also has provided the Maldives with radar systems and other assets to improve maritime domain awareness and search and rescue operations.”
“Australia has delivered patrol boats to 16 partner nations under the PMSP, which succeeded the long-running Pacific Patrol Boat Program. The program also includes landing craft and a loan fleet, maintenance and sustainment support, training for crews through the Royal Australian Navy, embedded naval advisors, and uncrewed aerial systems and satellite support for intelligence gathering.”