JAY-AR DACANAY BSCRIM-2E LEA

MALDIVES
Country in South Asia

HISTORY
Evolution of the Security Force
Since the establishment of a security force, it has served as a combined force except for two brief periods. A police
force was formed on 29 March 1933, during the reign of Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddeen III, but it was soon
disbanded. The police force was re-established on 13 March 1972, as a branch of the security force, which was then
known as National Guards, functioning under the Ministry of Public Safety.
On 10 January 1979, after years of evolution and progress, the Ministry of Public Safety and the National Guards were
renamed as the Ministry of Defense and National Security and the National Security Service (NSS) respectively. The
police remained as an integral part of it until it was declared a civil body under Ministry of Home Affairs and renamed
as the Maldives Police Service on 1 September 2004.
The National Security Service (NSS) remained a multi-functional force, directly under the command, direction and
supervision of the Minister of Defense and National Security. The President was the Commander-in-Chief of the NSS,
and the Minister of Defense and National Security was the Deputy Commander-in-Chief.

Maldives National Defense Force

With the separation of police as a civil body, the mission and duties of the NSS had to be revised. This revision
envisaged a totally different turn for the organization. Hence, to carry out the newly derived mission and tasks, the
core of its structure had to be modified and redesigned. All these new implementations created more of an infantry
organization and was renamed the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), on its 114th anniversary, on 21 April
2006 by the president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom.

ORGANIZATION
 COAST GUARD
The Maldives being a water bound nation, most of its security concerns lie at sea. Therefore, the
duties assigned to the MNDF of maintaining surveillance over Maldivian waters and providing
protection against foreign intruders poaching in the EEZ and territorial waters, are immense tasks
from both logistical and economic viewpoints. Hence, for carrying out these functions, it is the
Coast Guard that plays a vital role. To provide timely security its patrol boats are stationed at
various MNDF Regional Headquarters.

The Coast Guard is also assigned to respond to the maritime distress calls and to conduct search
and rescue operations in a timely manner. Maritime pollution control exercises are conducted
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regularly on an annual basis for familiarization and handling of such hazardous situations. The
Coast Guard also undertakes armed sea transport of troops and military equipment around the
country.
 MARINE CORPS
The Marine Corps (formerly known as Quick Reaction Force) are established at various strategic
locations and vulnerable areas to enhance the force projection to provide their services throughout
the country. The Marine Corps is composed of Marine Deployment Units (MDUs).
They are deployed for the purpose of maintaining security in their key areas of responsibility and
their operational conduct involves;
-Assistance to Coast Guard in maritime operations.
-Assistance to Civil Authorities at times of crisis.
-Search and Rescue operations.
-Providing KP guards.
-Undertaking combat operations.
-Conducting counter insurgency.
-Carrying out counter terrorism operations.
 SPECIAL FORCES
The Special Forces (SF) are the elite combat units of the MNDF. They are trained to perform their
duties in all conditions at any time, in any part of the world. Specifically their involvement comes in
situations where it is impediment to regular infantry forces.
This specialized group of men forms the lethal Special Forces unit of the MNDF as they are highly
trained and ready for any challenge facing the nation. They are armed with the most advanced
and state of the art weapons and gear, and will not hesitate to use them when the situation
demands it. Hence, it is the strategic asset of the MNDF which will be utilized in exceptional
situations and unquestionably with the order and direction of the highest civil authority.
 SERVICE CORPS
The supporting units take the role of support arms in the modern armies. They are mainly
responsible to facilitate the necessary equipment and services to the whole organization.
The support services are the backbone of the MNDF. From the very early days, some form of a
support element existed within the framework of the MNDF. Over the years, the support services
have developed to cater for the changing needs and demands of the MNDF. As part of the
development of the MNDF, professionals are being trained in highly specialized fields for smoother
and efficient operations in completing the missions and tasks entrusted.
-Communication, Electronics and Information Technology Service
-Transport Service
-Quarter Master Service
-Band and Music Wing
-Other Supporting Units
 CORPS OF ENGINEERING
Military Engineering Service (MES) main function is to design and build all new buildings of the
MNDF and to maintain the existing infrastructure of the MNDF. Today the able men and women of
MES have the potential to do everything related to construction of buildings from its designing
phase to the completion of construction.
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Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME) deals with every matter related to the repair,
maintenance, modification, production of spare parts, and electrical and mechanical equipment of
MNDF. Apart from this they are also entitled for marine engineering, fiber glassing, and air-
conditioning, production of various metal structures and to bring required modifications to the
weapons used in MNDF. They have the authority to check on any such item at any time which is
entrusted to any unit of the MNDF.
 SPECIAL PROTECTION GROUP
Special Protection Group (SPG) too undertakes all these responsibilities, but their primary mission
remains to protect and safeguard the Head of State as well as visiting dignitaries.
 MILITARY POLICE
The existence of Military Police (MP) within the Armed Forces is highly crucial to the
implementation of military discipline within the Armed Forces and to the discipline and conduct of
members of the Armed Forces. It is for this reason that the Minister of Defense established the
Military Police within the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) as required by the Armed
Forces Act. The Military Police will implement the military laws and regulations during normal
situations and during operational situations, and will also carry out ceremonial duties assigned to
them.
 AIR WING
The aircraft of the Air Wing are also used in transporting the Special Forces to areas of counter
terrorist attacks.
 CURRENT INVENTORY
Tasks:
 Providing institutional training.
 Carrying out collective and individual training.
 Conducting training exercises.
 Co-coordinating training activities of all units
 DEFENSE INSTITUTE FOR TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Tasks:
 Conducting fire emergency operations.
 Carrying out rescue operations.
 Providing protection to property.
 FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
Tasks:
 Conducting fire emergency operations.
 Carrying out rescue operations.
 Providing protection to property.

 MEDICAL SERVICE
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Medical Service (MS) is the authority responsible to provide medical assistance to men and
women of the MNDF.
 AREA COMMANDS
 NON-MILITARY SERVICES
DIRECTORATES
OFFICE NAMES
President, Commander- Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
in-Chief of the Armed
Forces
Vice President Faisal Naseem
Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath
Ministry of Foreign Abdulla Shahid
Affairs
Ministry of Defense Mariya Ahmed Didi
Ministry of Home Affairs Sheikh Imran Abdulla
Ministry of Finance Ibrahim Ameer
Ministry of Higher Dr. Ibrahim Hassan
Education
Ministry of National Mohamed Aslam
Planning and
Infrastructure
Ministry of Mohamed Maleeh Jamaal
Communication Science
and Technology
Ministry of Health Abdulla Ameen
Ministry of Education Dr. Aishath Ali
Ministry of Tourism Ali Waheed
Ministry of Economic Fayyaz Ismail
Development
Ministry of Fisheries, Zaha Waheed
Marine Resources and
Agriculture
Ministry of Islamic Ahmed Zahir
Affairs
Ministry of Housing and Aminath Aathifa
Urban Development
Ministry of Youth, Ahmed Mahloof
Sports, and Community
Empowerment
Ministry of Gender, Aishath Mohamed Didi
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Family, and Social
Services
Ministry of Transport and Aishath Nahula
Civil Aviation
Ministry of Environment Dr. Hussain Rasheed
Ministry of Arts, Culture, Yumna Maumoon
and Heritage

NUMBER OF FORCES
The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has approximately 2,500
personnel (2019 est.) estimates for the size of the Malian Armed Forces
(FAMa) vary; approximately 19,000 total troops (13,000 Army; 800 Air
Force; 3,000 Gendarmerie; 2,000 National Guard) (2019 est.).

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
The number of recruits for each year is predetermined by the President’s Office and the Ministry of
Defense with the assistance of the MNDF HQ.
When the advertisements seeking for potential recruits appears in the media, interested
candidates can submit their “expression of interest” to the Ministry of Defense.
The Ministry of Defense shall notify the time and place of interview for those who had expressed
their interest. Those who do not qualify the current basic entry criteria, however, shall not be called
for an interview.
Basic Entry Criteria for Maldives National Defense Force:

 Candidate must have completed GCE Ordinary Level or Grade 10 ( or an equivalent

vocational training )
 Candidate must have a minimum height of 5’ 5"/165.10 centimeters (males) or 5’ 3"/160.02
centimeters (females)
 Candidate must be between 18 and 25 years of age
 Candidate should not have any police records for past five years
 Candidate must not be registered in a Political Party

RANK INSIGNIA
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 Officer Corps

Major General Brigadier General Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Major

Captain Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Officer Candidate

 Warrant Officer Corps

Warrant Officer Warrant Officer Warrant Officer Warrant Officer Chief Warrant Officer
Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4

 Enlisted Corps

Sergeant First Staff Sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance Corporal

Class

MALDIVES PHILIPPINES
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Maldives Customs Service The Local Government Code of the Philippines
mandates the Barangays to enforce peace and
Maldives Customs Service is a law order and provide support for the effective
enforcement organization established under enforcement of human rights and justice,
the Maldives Customs Act (No: 8/2011). resolving and/or mediating conflict at the
Though the Act came into force in 2011, barangay level through non-adversarial
history of Customs can be traced back to means. Recourse to this Barangay Justice
1890, marking it as the oldest organization in System is required, with some specific
the Maldives. exceptions, as a pre-condition before filing a
complaint in court or any government offices.
The Organization is headed by Ministry of
Defense and Commissioner General of At the national level, law enforcement in the
Customs. Philippines is handled by two agencies: the
Philippine National Police (PNP) and the
Today Customs operation is carried out across National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
the country, including international airports and Community policing is done by un-armed
seaports. There are 3 designated international barangay tanods who are hired and supervised
seaports and 3 international airports, major by their local barangays, the smallest elected
ones established in the Central Region. government in the Philippines. Barangay
Tanods are often described as volunteers but
Customs vision is mainly focused on border they do receive in some places small stipends
enforcement and facilitating legitimate trade and benefits such as health care. They have
and travels while reflecting international some limited training.
standards and best practices.