MNDF displays rapid response using new vehicles

As part of the Victory Day celebrations, the MNDF staged a display performance reenacting a hostage situation at sea.

The exercise depicted Maldivian fishermen being taken hostage after armed terrorists boarded their fishing vessel. Before being captured, the fishermen managed to alert the Coast Guard, which subsequently launched an operation to neutralize the terrorists and rescue the hostages.

This is a scenario that could unfold at any time in the Maldives, as similar incidents have occurred in the past. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) showcased such a demonstration at Republic Square as part of the Victory Day celebrations.

The first response was carried out using a drone. One of several procured under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s administration for MNDF as part of efforts to ‘put a stop to’ potential dangers posed to the inhabited islands on the country’s eastern side. The drone was deployed to locate the fishing vessel holding the hostages.

Once the fishing vessel was located, the information was relayed to a joint task force that was brought together after receiving information that a terrorist attack was going to occur. The task force includes land, marine and air forces.

With the task force that was formed for such a situation during the demonstration, it raised the "operational status" of MNDF.

As was demonstrated by the military, they would utilize the "Dharumavantha", a Doğan-class Fast Attack Craft, with missile capabilities, gifted by Türkiye in order to "put a stop to" such far off dangers. In such situations, a "Special Boat Squadron" will be deployed via the vessel.

MNDF represented the usefulness of drones and the Iskandar ship via the demo in saving the fishermen who were taken hostage.

"The Coast Guard's ship Dharumavantha is a vessel that was brought to Maldives and added to the Coast Guard's fleet in order to strengthen Maldives' marine defense capabilities.

The fast attack vessel extends the navy’s operational range and enables engagement with the enemy beyond visual distance, a valuable defensive asset for a nation with vast ocean territory.”

The latest land vehicles that were brought in for the MNDF also showcased their usefulness during the demonstration. The military vehicles were used in a showcase where their operational ability by saving hostages from a building that was under the control of terrorists was put on display.

The deployable force that was formed in order to conduct operations on land and along the shoreline with these vessels, vehicles and other resources are the Marine Corps.

Victory Day's demonstration showed how the military's Special Operations Force would go about combating and stopping a terrorist attack in urban areas without extensively damaging the surroundings, with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in attendance at the military demonstration.

The military demonstration showcased the latest advancements in the MNDF’s capabilities, operations, and services, highlighting the new resources acquired since last year’s Victory Day.