The United States has transferred specialised equipment to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), a move that officials from both governments said underscores a strengthening defence partnership and will expand the MNDF's special operations capacity.
The handover took place at MNDF headquarters in Malé, where US Ambassador Hugo Yon presented the donation on behalf of Washington. Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, the Chief of Defence Force, accepted the equipment on behalf of the Maldivian military.
The package includes combat diving equipment, personal gear and other operational assets designated for the MNDF Special Forces and the MNDF Special Operations Group. Officials said the resources would significantly enhance the force’s ability to conduct specialised missions.
Ambassador Yon highlighted the depth of the defence relationship between the two nations and affirmed that US support for Maldivian security would continue. He described the assistance as part of a broader effort to reinforce ties between Washington and Malé.
Major General Hilmy expressed gratitude for the contribution, noting that the equipment would directly improve the MNDF’s operational effectiveness. He called the donation a “major step forward” in advancing the MNDF’s defence capabilities.
Both sides cast the event as a milestone in expanding defence cooperation and strengthening collaboration on regional security. The ceremony drew senior MNDF officers as well as a visiting delegation from the U.S. Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies.