Maldives National Defence Force

Maldives National Defence Force
ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ދިފާއީ ބާރު (Dhivehi)
Emblem
Flag
MottoDefending & safeguarding the Maldivian state, territory, exclusive economic zone & the people, with pride, sense of responsibility & professionalism
Founded21 April 1892 (1892-04-21)[1]
Service branches
  • MNDF Coast Guard
  • MNDF Marine Corps
  • MNDF Air Corps
  • Fire and Rescue Service
HeadquartersBandaara Koshi, Malé
Websitemndf.gov.mv
Leadership
Commander-in-ChiefMohamed Muizzu
Minister of DefenceMohamed Ghassan Maumoon
Chief of Defence ForceMajor General Ibrahim Hilmy
Personnel
Military age18–24[a]
ConscriptionNone
Active personnel9900+
Reserve personnel7800+
Deployed personnel2500+
Expenditure
Budget$138.8 million | MVR 2.14 billion (2025)[2]
Industry
Foreign suppliers India
China
Sri Lanka
Turkey
United States
Germany
Japan
Saudi Arabia
Malaysia
Russia
Iran
Canada
United Arab Emirates
France
United Kingdom
European Union
Related articles
RanksMilitary ranks of Maldives

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, the MNDF Marine Corps, and MNDF Air Corps.

Organizational structure

Combat and maneuver forces

Coast Guard

Marine Corps

Air Corps

Equipment

Small Arms

Others

Apart from the combat and maneuver forces, the MNDF also consists of:[4]

  • Support services
    • Service corps
    • Defence intelligence service
    • Medical corps
    • Adjutant general's corps
  • Functional commands
    • Special Forces
    • Special protection service
    • Ordnance service
    • MNDF Marine Corps Special Operations Group
    • MNDF Coast Guard Special Boat Squadron

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.[5]

Serving general officers

Retired general officers

(Former Commandant, MNDF Service Corps)

(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

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

See also

References

  1. ^ "History of MNDF". MNDF. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Budget 2025". Ministry of Finance. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  3. ^ "About Us". MNDF. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012.
  4. ^ "Organization". Maldives National Defence Force. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Ranks Used". MNDF. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012.
  6. ^ "Chief of Defence Force". MNDF. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Vice Chief of Defence Force". MNDF. Retrieved 12 July 2024.

Notes

  1. ^ Voluntary service for individuals aged 18–24; no conscription; requires a 10th grade education or equivalent; political party membership is prohibited (2024)
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