A missile boat donated by Türkiye as part of a defense cooperation agreement with the Maldives has arrived in the country, marking a significant boost to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) fleet.

According to information received to Voice, the TCG Volkan (P-343) a Doğan-class fast attack craft was transported to the Maldives aboard a break bulk carrier and is currently anchored off the coast of Hulhumalé.

Reports of the donation first emerged in the Turkish press in April.

The Maldivian Ministry of Defence later confirmed the news later, stating that the handover was part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Malé and Ankara aimed at enhancing the Maldives’ defense capabilities through material support and training.

The ministry described the vessel as a crucial asset for strengthening the MNDF’s naval capacity, enabling it to better safeguard peace and security in the Indian Ocean.

As part of the agreement, Maldivian personnel underwent training in Türkiye to operate the vessel.

Originally commissioned into the Turkish Navy in May 1981, the TCG Volkan was reclassified in 2024 as a test and training ship.

Built by German shipbuilder Lürssen Werft, the Doğan-class vessels were the first in the Turkish fleet to be equipped with Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

Prior to its transfer, the vessel underwent maintenance and repairs at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command.

The arrival of the TCG Volkan follows a series of defense and business agreements reached during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit to Türkiye his first overseas trip after taking office.

Under the same cooperation framework, Türkiye has also supplied drones to the Maldives.