Maldives to receive two new naval patrol vessels this month

Defence Minister Adam Shareef Umar said on Monday that the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) would receive two new naval patrol vessels this month under the government’s efforts to further strengthen the country’s maritime security capability.

He said “the Defence Ministry attaches high priority to protect the country’s vast maritime territory, and is working to acquire vessels and equipment to ensure maritime safety and security.”

In February, the government signed a MVR129 million contract with a Sri Lankan company to build five new naval vessels, and two of them are scheduled to be delivered before November 11 this year.