Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal has stated Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has achieved significant progress over the past few years with the help of international relations.
In a special interview given on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of MNDF, Major General Shamaal said the military service and capacity have increased over the past few years with the help of work carried out with the international community. As such, Major General Shamaal noted MNDF personnel are currently active in five different countries, as well as the International Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition. He noted collaborative efforts with foreign countries have enabled MNDF to acquire valuable experience and training, as well as additional resources to boost its capacity.
Furthermore, the MNDF chief revealed the international relations established by the military are also essential to overcoming security challenges faced by the country, especially in the Indian Ocean Region. He noted that collaborative efforts with the international community are vital toward eliminating crimes such as piracy, human trafficking, cross-border terrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal fishing.
Military service was established in the Maldives on April 21, 1892. MNDF was formed upon renaming National Security Service (NSS) after Maldives Police Service (MPS) was declared a separate civil body in 2004.