Turkish ship handover highlights President’s stance on sovereignty: Defence Minister

The handover of a Turkish-donated military vessel highlights the “red line” President Mohamed Muizzu drew on sovereignty when he took office, Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon said.

At a ceremony in Hulhumale' last night to mark the arrival of the Dogan-class missile boat TCG Volkan (P-343), Minister Ghassan recalled Muizzu’s inaugural speech on 17 November 2023, when he pledged to respect all nations while firmly defending the Maldives’ independence.

“There is a red line in every country, as should be. Maldives will fully respect the independence and sovereignty of other countries. Maldives should also have that right. There should be no difference between big and small [countries],” President Muizzu had said at the time.

Minister Ghassan said Friday’s ceremony highlighted that commitment.

“On November 17, 2023, the President and commander-in-chief of the Maldives National Defence Force drew the thick, red line in defence of the independence and sovereignty of the country,” he said.

The minister described the TCG Volkan now renamed "Dharumavantha", is the largest vessel in Maldivian military history, as a major leap forward.

The ship will be able to travel long distances quickly, equipped with modern technology and heavy weapons. He compared the moment to the founding of the Maldives navy in 1980, saying it showed how far the country’s defence forces had advanced despite limited resources.

Chief of defence force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy said more naval vessels would soon be added to the fleet and that the Volkan would multiply the MNDF’s naval strength.

“In terms of weapons and firepower, it is a completely different naval ship compared to the vessels currently used in the Coast Guard,” he said.

Although 45 years old, the ship was reclassified as a test and training vessel last year after undergoing repairs. MNDF officers have received specialist training in Turkey in recent months to operate it.

The Dogan-class vessels were designed by the German company Lurssen Werft and were among the first Turkish ships fitted with Harpoon anti-ship missiles, playing a key role in the country’s naval capabilities in the late 20th century.