User:MAL MALDIVE/sandbox/4
| Maldives National Defence Force | |
|---|---|
ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ދިފާއީ ބާރު | |
 Coat of Arms of MNDF | |
 Flag of MNDF | |
| Founded | 21 April 1892 |
| Service branches | |
| Website | mndf |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Mohamed Muizzu |
| Ministry of Defence | Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon |
| Chief of Defence Force | Major General Ibrahim Hilmy |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 18[a] |
| Reaching military age annually | 35 males, 20 females |
| Active personnel | 9900+ |
| Reserve personnel | 7800+ |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | MVR85.348 million US$5.5 million (2024)[2] |
| Percent of GDP | 0.25% |
| Related articles | |
| History | See § History |
| Ranks | Military ranks of Maldives |
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)[b] is the military organization responsible for defending and protecting the territorial integrity, exclusive economic zone, and people of the Republic of Maldives. It is organized into four main service branches—the Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Air Crops and the Fire and Rescue Service.
The Maldives National Defence Force has a defence budget of approximately US$5.5 million as of 2024[update], and is a minor power in South Asia. According to the Ministry of Finance, Maldives plans to expand its military budget to MVR122.1 million (US$7.9 million) by 2025.[3]
The military was established in the Maldive Islands in April 1892, by then-monarch Ibrahim Nooraddeen as a security force to authorized to carry arms, with the Royal Palace granting them special privileges. King Nooraddeen appointed himself as the commander-in-chief forces. Since its establishment, the Maldives National Defence Force had never involved in any war, however was involved in the 1988 Maldivian coup attempt. Under king Muhammad Shamsuddeen III's reign, a police force was established in 1933, and served as an assistant organization to the military until 1972, when it was restructured as a part of the National Guards (present-day Maldives National Defence Force). During Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's administration in 2004, the Maldives Police and Maldives Security Service were separated, with the Maldives Security Service later renamed the Maldives National Defence Force in 2006.
Mohamed Muizzu, president of the Maldives, is the commander-in-chief of the Maldives National Defence Force, and establishes military policy in coordination with the Ministry of Defence, the principal executive body responsible for implementing and overseeing defence policy. However, operational control is vested in the Chief of Defence Force, who is responsible for commanding and managing the MNDF. Executive authority over defence policy and administration is exercised by the Minister of Defence.
History
[edit]Formation and restructurings
[edit]Following the invasion of the Maldives by the Portuguese empire in 1558, the nation lacked a military force. Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-Auzam, who liberated the Maldives from Portuguese occupation, established the first known organized military structure by forming the corps known as the "Hagu beykalun".[4][5] It remained as the de facto military of the country until 1896.[c]
During the reign of King Ibrahim Nooraddin Iskander, younger members of the Malé gentry were trained in traditional martial arts at the king's private residence, Aaganduvaru.[6] Later, the king authorised the formal training of the men in European military techniques.[6] Light firearms were issued to support their instruction, and the unit was soon organised as a separate branch of the militia.[6] Known as Sifain, the unit made its first public appearance on 20 April 1892, participating in the king's procession during the hithi festivities in Ramadan.[6] Later on 21 April 1892, king Ibrahim Nooraddeen declared a military was established in the Maldives, and appointed himself as the commander-in-chief.[4][7][8]
In 1972, the police force was integrated into the then-National Guards as a branch under the Ministry of Public Safety.[9] Following the swearing-in of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on 11 November 1978, the military structure was reorganized and placed under the newly established Ministry of Defence and National Security.[9] On 10 January 1979, the National Guards were renamed the National Security Service (NSS) to reflect its broader responsibilities in safeguarding national security.[9] The police remained part of the NSS until September 2004, when it was restructured as a civil body under the Ministry of Home Affairs and renamed the Maldives Police Service.[10] In April 2006, the NSS was officially rebranded as the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).[11]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Voluntary service for individuals aged 18; no conscription; requires a 10th grade education or equivalent; political party membership is prohibited (2023)[1]
- ^ Dhivehi: ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ދިފާއީ ބާރު, romanized: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Qaumee Dhifaa'ee Baaru
- ^ Until 1930s, the Maldives did not adopt an constitution, in which the military was not official by any law.
References
[edit]- ^ "Military service age and obligation – Maldives". United States Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ "Office Revenue - Maldives National Defence Force". budget.gov.mv. Ministry of Finance. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ "Weekly Fiscal Developments" (PDF). Ministry of Finance. 6 June 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ a b "History of MNDF". Maldives National Defence Force. 2017. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Shifa, Mariyam (26 August 2020). "Thiladhunmathi "Bodu Thakurufaanu" and His Honours". Thiladhumnathi Times. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Maldives National Security Service". Máldive Royal Family. 2001. Archived from the original on 24 July 2002. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Gov't highlights achievements made by MNDF in four years". PSM News. 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Maldives History: Small Old Country With Sound Diplomacy". Maldives Finest. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014.
- ^ a b c "A Brief Look At The History of Maldives Police Service On Their 88th Anniversary!". CoralGlass Market. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Police Reforms: The Maldives". Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Child Soldiers Global Report 2008 - Maldives". United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. 20 May 2008.