MALE, Maldives – The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has launched a high-stakes maritime surveillance operation in the waters north of the Chagos Archipelago, deploying its largest naval asset, the Coast Guard Ship (CGS) Dharmavantha.
CGS Dharmavantha is a Dogan-class Fast Attack Craft gifted by Türkiye and commissioned into service this past August. Measuring 58 meters in length, it is the largest vessel in the history of the Maldivian military. The ship is heavily armed with a 76mm main gun and a 35mm double-barrel gun, capable of reaching speeds up to 38 knots.
According to reports from The Express, the operation is being conducted in coordination with a surveillance drone squadron from the MNDF Air Corps. The joint sea-and-air mission has reportedly intercepted and inspected several foreign vessels in the area since its commencement, signaling a robust shift in the Maldives’ regional maritime posture.
This military movement follows a firm stance by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who has officially refused to recognize the United Kingdom’s agreement to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. President Muizzu has characterized the deal as a “cowardly decision” that undermines the territorial integrity of the Maldives. He further asserted that historical and archaeological evidence proves Chagos is an integral part of the Maldives, arguing that Mauritius has no legitimate historical claim to the archipelago.
While British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration formally transferred sovereignty of Chagos to Mauritius in May 2025, the Maldives continues to challenge the move on the international stage. The deployment of CGS Dharmavantha underscores the government’s commitment to asserting its rights and securing its southern maritime boundaries.
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