Maldives National Defence Force
National Military of the Maldives
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Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF; Dhivehi: ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ދިފާއީ ބާރު, romanized: Dhivehi 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, MNDF Marine Corps, MNDF Air Corps, and MNDF Fire and Rescue Service.
- MNDF Coast Guard
- MNDF Marine Corps
- MNDF Air Corps
- MNDF Fire and Rescue Service
- MNDF Service Corps
- MNDF Defense Intelligence Service
- MNDF Medical Corps
- MNDF Adjutant General's Corps
- MNDF Special Forces
- MNDF Special Protection Service
- MNDF Ordnance Service
| Maldives National Defence Force | |
|---|---|
| ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ދިފާއީ ބާރު (Dhivehi) | |
 Emblem | |
 Flag | |
| Motto | Defending & safeguarding the Maldivian state, territory, exclusive economic zone & the people, with pride, sense of responsibility & professionalism |
| Founded | 21 April 1892[1] |
| Service branches |
|
| Headquarters | Bandaara Koshi, Malé |
| Website | mndf |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Mohamed Muizzu |
| Minister of Defence | Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon |
| Chief of Defence Force | Major General Ibrahim Hilmy |
| Vice Chief of Defence Force | Brigadier General Ahmed Giyas |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 18–24[a] |
| Conscription | None |
| Active personnel | 9900+ |
| Reserve personnel | 7800+ |
| Deployed personnel | 2500+ |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | $183.13 million | MVR 2.82 billion (2026)[2] |
| Industry | |
| Foreign suppliers |  India China Sri Lanka Turkey United States Germany Russia France United Kingdom |
| Related articles | |
| Ranks | Military ranks of Maldives |
History
The Maldives has a recorded history of human habitation spanning over 25 centuries. Throughout its substantial history, the country has maintained it's status as a sovereign and independent nation; with the exception of 2 time periods — an occupation by the Portuguese Empire the 16th century and in 1887 to 1965 as a British protectorate. Despite the small size, humble population, and significant geographically strategic value, the Maldives has preserved its freedom though dexterous diplomacy and selfless sacrifice of many Maldivian heroes who fought to defend the nation.
Origins of the Maldivian military began with the campaign for the expulsion of the Portuguese forces let the by the national hero As-Sulṭaan al-Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-A'uẓam who raised the first known organized military body referred to as the "Hagu beykalun". However while this did mark the birth of a structured defense force, the modern military institution was formally established by As-Sulṭaan Ibrahim Nooraddeen on 21ˢᵗ of April, 1892 by the name of "Sifain".[4]
Over the following century the military underwent many institutional reforms. Till 1979 it was called the National Guard and under the Ministry of Public Safety. 1979 onward the forces was reformed as the National Security Service (NSS) and as part of the Ministry of Defense and National Security. For several decades the police force was an integral part of NSS until the 1ˢᵗ of September, 2004 — when it was decreed to be renamed as Maldives Police Service and as a separate civil entity under the Ministry of Home Affairs.[5]
The final significant transition happened on the 21ˢᵗ of April, 2006 — the 114ᵗʰ anniversary; when it was renamed as the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and the force structure was reorganized and modernized with the introduction of the Marine Corps, the expansion of the Coast Guard fleet[6], and the move towards the modern joint operational philosophy.
Force Structure
Combat and Maneuver Forces
MNDF Coast Guard
MNDF Marine Corps
MNDF Air Corps
MNDF Fire and Rescue Service
Support Services
MNDF Service Corps
MNDF Defence Intelligence Service
The Defence Intelligence Service (DIS) is the service that tasked with conducting security intelligence, military intelligence and counterintelligence activities that are needed in order to facilitate the operations and activities of the MNDF and to achieve its goals, and collect, analyze and share intelligence with inter-agency partners to help maintain the national security, peace and stability of the Maldives.[7]
MNDF Medical Corps
The Medical Corps is a support service that is responsible for providing medical support to the branches of the MNDF. It employs both military personnel and civilian personnel to staff military hospitals, to run medical clinics in MNDF facilities, and to provide medical support to deployed forces. The Medical Corps runs numerous programs and activities such as medical camps and health screening programs targeted at the families of soldiers in the MNDF and civilian community. To carry out its objectives, the Medical Corps provides medical support to the Area Commands by integrating elements from the Medical Corps into established service support components of the area commands. However, certain services are provided centrally as direct responsibilities of the Medical Corps Headquarters.[8]
MNDF Adjutant General's Corps
The Adjutant General’s Corps (AG Corps) is responsible for performing ceremonial duties, civil and public affairs services, legal support, military policing services, providing expertise in the human resource and financial fields, and oversee the operation of the Military Justice System. To carry out its objectives, the AG Corps provides support to the Area Commands by integrating elements from the Adjutant General’s Corps into service support components of the area commands. Some specific units in the AG Corps include the Arts and Ceremonial Service, Media and Publishing Service, and Military Police Unit.[9]
Operational and Functional Organization
Area Commands
MNDF Northern Area Command
MNDF Male' Area Command
MNDF Central Area Command
MNDF Southern Area Command
Functional Commands
MNDF Special Forces
MNDF Special Protection Service
The Special Protection Service (SPS) is a functional command that is responsible for providing protect to state officials, their families, foreign dignitaries visiting the Maldives, and certain facilities. The SPS is staffed by members of the military who tasked to do this by MNDF for a certain period of time, after which they will return to their parent service or unit. Prior to being assigned to join this command, soldiers undergo training to prepare them to execute the tasks they are assigned. Two units that are part of the Special Protection Service are the Presidential Guards and Special Protection Group.[10]
MNDF Ordnance Service
Rank structure
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.[11]
Serving general officers
- Major General Ibrahim Hilmy - Chief of Defence Force[12]
- Brigadier General Ahmed Ghiyas Vice Chief of Defence Force[13]
- Brigadier General Ismail Shareef - Commander, MNDF Northern Area Command
- Brigadier General Abdulla Zuhury - Commandant, Marine Corps
- Brigadier General Dr. Ali Shahid Mohamed - Surgeon General, MNDF Medical Corps
- Brigadier General Abdul Rauf - Commandant, MNDF Air Corps
- Brigadier General Ibrahim Rasheed - Commander, MNDF Male' Area Command
- Brigadier General Mohamed Ibrahim - Commander, MNDF Central Area Command
- Brigadier General Abdulla Ibrahim - Commanding Officer, College of Defence and Security Studies (CDSS)
- Brigadier General Hassan Shahid - Director General, J3 IHQ
- Brigadier General Mohamed Saleem - Commandant, Coast Guard
- Brigadier General Hussain Ibrahim - Director General, DIDC
Retired general officers
- Lieutenant General Ambaree Abdul Sattar 1 (Deputy Commander in Chief of Armed Forces from 21 April 1992 – 1 January 1996)
- Major General Mohamed Zahir (Chief of Defence Force from 1 January 1996 – 18 Nov 2008)
- Major General Moosa Ali Jaleel 5 (Chief of Defence Force from 18 Nov 2008 – 7 February 2012 )
- Major General Adam Zahir (Commissioner of Police) 2
- Major General Ahmed Shiyam (Former Chief of Defence Force)
- Brigadier General Ahmed Shahid (Former Vice Chief of Defence Force)
- Brigadier General Farhath Shaheer (Former Vice Chief of Defence Force)
- Brigadier General Ahmed Shahid (Former Vice Chief of Defence Force)
- Brigadier General Ahmed Naeem Mohamed
- Brigadier General Zakariyya Mansoor - Director General of Counter-Terrorism, Ministry of Defence
- Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Didi
- Brigadier General Ahmed Mohamed (former Vice Chief of Defence Force )
- Brigadier General Ali Zuhair (former commander of Coast Guard)
- Lieutenant General Abdulla Shamaal ( Former Chief of Defence Force)
- Major General Hamid Shafeeq
(Former Commandant, MNDF Service Corps)
- Major General Wais Waheed
(Former Commandant, MNDF Marine Corps)
- Lieutenant General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef (Former Chief of Defence Force)
- Brigadier General Mohamed Shareef (Former Commandant of MNDF fire and rescue)
Dismissed general officers
Equipment
Notes
- 1 Ambaree Abdul Sattar is the first person to have held lieutenant general rank and also served as the Minister of State for Defence.
- 2 Adam Zahir held the rank of major General from 29 April 2004 to 1 September 2004 prior to the appointment as Commissioner at Maldives Police Service.
- 4 Colonel Ahmed Nilam held the rank of brigadier general before he was demoted and dismissed from the service. He was dismissed for failing to act according to the responsibilities, conduct and rules of MNDF.
- 5 Moosa Ali Jaleel is the only person who have served as both the Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Force.
- 6 Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef held the CDF post for the shortest tenure (From 17 November 2023 - 17 April 2024) due to compulsory retirement upon reaching 60 years of age as per MNDF Act. He previously served as the Vice Chief of Defence Force from 11 December 2018 to 17 November 2023
