MNDF Marine Corps
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Marine Corps | |
|---|---|
 MNDF Marine Corps flag | |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Country |  Maldives |
| Type | Marines |
| Role | Amphibious warfare Close-quarters combat Counter-insurgency Counter-terrorism Ground warfare Jungle warfare Maneuver warfare Raiding Rapid Reaction Force Reconnaissance Special forces support |
| Part of | Maldives National Defence Force |
| Commanders | |
| Commandant | Brigadier General Abdulla Zuhury |
| Principal Director | Colonel Mohamed Firdhous |
The MNDF Marine Corps are frontline ground combat force of the Maldives National Defence Force,[1][2][3] formed in 2006. The Marine Corps (formerly known as Rapid Reaction Force) were established at various strategic locations and vulnerable areas to enhance the force projection to provide their services throughout the country.
The former infantry oriented rapid reaction force was transformed into the Marine Corps under the new direction considering the archipelagic and maritime nature of the country and to that effect having felt the need to incorporate marine tactics into the force which largely cater for amphibious and rapid deployment capabilities. Marines Corps is trained and equipped to project its combat power through sea by its inherent rapid deployable capabilities and to fight in all types of weather and terrain in the country including urban terrain.
Structure
It is structured into Marine Deployment Units (MDUs) which is centered on an infantry organization and acts as force projection elements of the MNDF by closely working with the Coast Guard. MDUs are currently being deployed in all the Area Commands of the MNDF. Some of these MDUs have armored detachments consisting of armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles which provide armor protection and mobility to ground combat troops.
The Marine Corps is headed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps who holds the rank of a Brigadier General. The Commandant is responsible for administration, readiness, training and discipline of the force. Hence, he formulates policy on these aspects in consultation with the Chief of Defence Force and the Vice Chief of Defence Force and with the civil leadership. The Commandant does not have the operational command authority over the Marine Corps. The administrative duties of the force such as organizing, equipping, posting, assigning and so forth are discharged through the Principal Director of the Marine Corps.