On 2 June 2025 Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles and Maldives Minister of Defence, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, announced Australia will gift an Australian-built Guardian-class Patrol Boat to Maldives.
In the Australian Government media release it was stated, “This announcement is a key milestone in our bilateral relationship and a significant step towards enhancing Maldives’ capability to protect its sovereign waters and contribute to maritime security in the Indian Ocean.
The Guardian-class Patrol Boat will provide Maldives a more persistent presence in its vast exclusive economic zone to deter, detect and disrupt illegal maritime activities.
In addition to the new vessel, Australia will also gift a multi-beam echo sounder to Maldives. The hydrographic equipment will support Maldives’ capability to map its ocean floor, helping to ensure maritime safety and unlock economic development.
This initiative upholds our shared commitment to security, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region. The Guardian-class Patrol Boat is under construction and due for completion in 2026. Working closely with Maldives, Australia will develop a maintenance and sustainment package to support the vessel.”
The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles said,
“Australia is proud to partner with Maldives to support its maritime security capability. In line with our National Defence Strategy, Australia is working with partners across the Northeast Indian Ocean to maintain regional security and stability. Australia is pleased to gift a Guardian-class Patrol Boat to Maldives and will continue to seek opportunities to deepen our long-standing defence partnership. As Indian Ocean countries, Australia and Maldives share a vision of our region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.”
The Minister of Defence of the Maldives, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon said,
“Our nations are bound by a mutual commitment to the safety and security of the seas – particularly in the vital area of search and rescue operations, where we share a common border. It is with deep appreciation and sincere gratitude that we acknowledge the generous gift of hydrographic equipment and a Guardian-class Patrol Boat from the Government of Australia. The gifting of a Guardian-class Patrol Boat to the Maldives National Defence Force is a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between our nations. Gifting a Guardian-class Patrol Boat to the Maldives brings us closer to the realization of his Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s vision of doubling the strength of the Maldives Coast Guard.”
Source: Commonwealth Government
