Australia has gifted an Australian-built Guardian-class Patrol Boat to Maldives.
The announcement was made in a joint media release shortly after the meeting between Minister of Defence, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and the visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, Richard Marles on Monday.
According to the media release, this announcement is a key milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two countries and a significant step towards enhancing Maldives’ capability to protect its sovereign waters and contribute to maritime security in the Indian Ocean.
The Guardian-class Patrol Boat will provide Maldives a more persistent presence in its vast exclusive economic zone to deter, detect and disrupt illegal maritime activities.
In addition to the new vessel, Australia will also gift a multi-beam echo sounder to Maldives. The hydrographic equipment will support Maldives’ capability to map its ocean floor, helping to ensure maritime safety and unlock economic development.
Minister Ghassan described the gifting of a vessel to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) as a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between the two nations.
“Gifting a Guardian-class Patrol Boat to the Maldives brings us closer to the realisation of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision of doubling the strength of the Maldives Coast Guard,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Marles said in line with Australia’s National Defence Strategy, Australia is working with partners across the Northeast Indian Ocean to maintain regional security and stability.
“Australia is pleased to gift a Guardian-class Patrol Boat to Maldives and will continue to seek opportunities to deepen our long-standing defence partnership,” he said.
“As Indian Ocean countries, Australia and Maldives share a vision of our region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.”
The Guardian-class Patrol Boat is under construction and due for completion in 2026.
Working closely with Maldives, Australia will develop a maintenance and sustainment package to support the vessel.