The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has stated the development of the naval infrastructure in Uthuru Thila Falhu will be completed by January 2025.
The Maldives signed an agreement with India in February 2021, to develop a harbour and naval dockyard in the area. The agreement was initially made by the previous government in 2016 but the current administration signed the agreement after limiting the scope of the project.
Talks regarding the development of Uthuru Thila Falhu began in 2013 during the then-defence minister's visit to India. At the time, one hectare was reclaimed in Uthuru Thila Falhu and the Maldives had shared concept designs and plans with India. In addition, the Action Plan on Defence Cooperation between the Maldives and India, signed in 2016, also included a major military project to be conducted in Uthuru Thila Falhu.
The current administration signed the agreement with India in 2021 after limiting the scope of the project. Under the agreement, India will provide assistance to the Maldives in developing a jetty, a harbour repair facility, a slipway, and other infrastructure facilities for the harbour, as well as communication facilities and radar services. India will provide assistance for a period of 15 years in training individuals, and local personnel and repairing and maintenance of various facilities in the harbour and dockyard.
India-based Rail Vikas Nigam began fieldwork in January this year under a civil contract. The development of the Coast Guard Ekatha Harbour in Uthuru Thila Falhu is nearing completion, with the land reclamation and coastal protection structures to be completed by March. A total of 15 hectares will be reclaimed to establish the necessary resources for the harbour and a 300m berth. The area will also consist of a medical facility, administrative building, maintenance facility, and recreation facility.
MNDF stated that the project is scheduled to be completed by January 2025 and that the coastguard fleet in Male' and Hulhumale' will be docked at Uthuru Thila Falhu. The project is expected to significantly increase the operational capacity of the military service.
MNDF stated that the Maldivian military has full control of Uthuru Thila Falhu and that no foreign military personnel are stationed in the area. MNDF also refuted claims that Uthuru Thila Falhu is an Indian military base and assured that the military service remains steadfast in defending the country from any threats to national independence and sovereignty. MNDF expressed concern over the spread of such false claims that undermine the operation and development of the military service.