Türkiye’s Donated Missile Boat Reaches Maldives Under Defence Agreement

The missile boat donated by Türkiye, under a defence cooperation agreement between Male’ and Ankara, has arrived in the Maldives. 

The vessel, TCG Volkan (P-343), a Dogan-class fast attack craft, was transported to the Maldives on a break bulk carrier on Thursday and is currently anchored off the coast of K. Dhoonidhoo.

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The donation of the missile boat was first reported by the Turkish press in April. The Maldivian Defence Ministry confirmed the reports in a statement on 12 April, explaining that the donation forms part of a Memorandum of Understanding between Male’ and Ankara aimed at enhancing the Maldives’ defence capabilities through material support and training.

The ministry described the addition of TCG Volkan to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) fleet as a significant step in strengthening the country’s naval capabilities, supporting its role in maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean region. Maldivian personnel received training in Türkiye to operate the vessel.

Commissioned into the Turkish Navy in May 1981, TCG Volkan was reclassified in 2024 as a test and training vessel. The Dogan-class ships, designed by German shipbuilder Lürssen Werft, were among the first to be equipped with Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

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