Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy has said that the donation of the naval ship from Türkiye will multiply the naval strength of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

Speaking at the handover ceremony held on Friday night, he noted that the vessel, formerly known as TCG Volkan and now renamed Dharumavantha, is the largest ship to be added to the MNDF fleet. He stressed that the addition would greatly enhance the country’s maritime defence capabilities and reaffirmed the MNDF’s readiness to sacrifice body and soul in defending Maldivian independence.

Major General Hilmy also highlighted that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, as Commander-in-Chief, attaches special importance to the development of the MNDF. He said ongoing efforts to bring more naval vessels to the Maldives in the near future demonstrated the Administration’s commitment to fulfilling its pledges to strengthen national security.

The ship was officially handed over by the Turkish Navy during the ceremony, making it the latest and most significant addition to the MNDF arsenal.