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| 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; 133 years ago (1892-04-21)[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 GeneralIbrahim 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 |
Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF;Dhivehi:ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ދިފާއީ ބާރު,romanized: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Qaumee Dhifaaee Baaru) is thenational military responsible for defending thesecurity and sovereignty of theMaldives. It is primarily responsible per theconstitution to defend and protect the Republic, its territorial integrity, itsexclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the people.[3] Its branches include theMaldivian Coast Guard,MNDF Marine Corps,MNDF Air Corps, andMNDF Fire and Rescue Service.
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 thePortuguese Empire the 16th century and in 1887 to 1965 as aBritish 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 heroAs-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 byAs-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 asMaldives 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 theMarine Corps, the expansion of theCoast Guard fleet[6], and the move towards the modern joint operational philosophy.
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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 oflieutenant 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.[7]
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(Former Commandant, MNDF Service Corps)
(Former Commandant, MNDF Marine Corps)
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