Australia to gift Guardian-class patrol boat to Maldives

Australia has announced that it will donate a Guardian-class patrol boat to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), marking a significant step forward in defence cooperation between the two countries.

The announcement was made during a joint press conference held at Bandaara Koshi by Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, and Maldives Minister of Defence, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon.

Marles said the patrol boat, currently under construction in Australia, is expected to be completed and handed over to Maldives in 2026.

The Guardian-class vessel will enhance the MNDF’s ability to maintain a stronger presence across Maldives’ vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), supporting efforts to deter, detect, and disrupt illegal maritime activities.

Marles said the donation was a symbol of the growing relationship between the two countries, both of which are Indian Ocean nations with shared interests in a stable and secure region.

“Gifting a Guardian-class Patrol Boat to the Maldives brings us closer to the realization of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision of doubling the strength of the Maldives Coast Guard,” Minister Ghassan said, highlighting that the strategic importance of the donation in advancing the nation’s maritime security.

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.