The Maldives National Defence Force is the national military responsible for defending the security and sovereignty of the Maldives. It is primarily responsible per the constitution to defend and protect the Republic, its territorial integrity, its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the people. Its branches include the Maldivian Coast Guard, the MNDF Marine Corps, and the Special Forces.
Major General Mohamed Zahir is a former Chief of Defence Force of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) of the Republic of Maldives.
Major General (Retired) Moosa Ali Jaleel M.Phil. MSc ndc psc is a retired 2 star officer of the Maldives National Defence Force who served as the 3rd Chief of Defence Force of Maldives National Defence Force from 18 November 2008 until 7 February 2012. MG (Rtd) Moosa Jaleel also held office as the Minister of Defence from January to October 2015 during the presidency of Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
The Maldivian Coast Guard is the naval or maritime arm of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). Because the Maldives does not have a navy, the MNDF Coast Guard functions as the armed maritime force of the nation with a charter to contribute to national defence and by and large to respond to issues related to the maritime security of the nation. Therefore, the Coast Guard is documented as the custodian of the Maldives Maritime Domain. Maritime security is a constituent ingredient of the national security in a maritime nation such as the Maldives and its significance is best understood when one perceives the island or the archipelagic nature of the country.
The Maldives competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, from 17 September to 2 October 1988. This marked their first time participating in the Olympic Games. Seven athletes competed in athletic events; Ismail Asif Waheed, Ahmed Shageef, Abdul Haji Abdul Latheef, Hussein Haleem Ibrahim Manik, Abdul Razzak Aboobakur and Mohamed Hanim in track and field. None of the athletes advanced past the first round in their events, and no Maldivian has won a medal at the Olympics. Hussein Haleem bore the Maldives' flag during the parade of nations of the opening ceremony.
There are a handful of law enforcement establishments in the Maldives.
Lieutenant General (retd) Abdulla Shamaal MA MSc ndu psc is the former Chief of Defence Force (CDF) of Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). General Shamaal was appointed to the post of Chief of Defence Force on 11 December 2018 by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and served until 17 November 2023. Shamaal was trained in various military institutions such as the United States Army Infantry School in Fort Benning, the Pakistan Military Academy and the Defence Services Staff College in India. Shamaal was previously discharged from service in November 2013 but was reinstated in December 2018 following High Court verdict that his discharge was unlawful. He has also held various Senior Command, Staff and Instructional appointments during his career.
Brigadier General Ahmed Mohamed was the Vice Chief of Defence Force of the Maldives National Defence Force. He was appointed to this post on 4 March 2012. Brigadier General Ahmed Mohamed was born on 9 July 1964 in the island of Maroshi, Shaviyani Atoll.
The Special Forces (SF) branch of the Maldives National Defence Force is the elite Special Forces unit which is capable of planning and conducting a broad range of special operations.
Judge Abdulla Mohamed is the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court of the Maldives. In January 2012 he was arrested after releasing a government critic. After popular and judicial protests, he was freed and President Mohamed Nasheed resigned.
Major General (Retd) Ahmed Shiyam was serving as the Chief of Defence Force of the Maldives National Defence Force. He was appointed to this post on 9 February 2012.
The MNDF Marine Corps are a frontline ground combat force of the Maldives National Defence Force, formed in 2006. The Marine Corps were established at various strategic locations and vulnerable areas to enhance the force projection to provide their services throughout the country. It is a lethal and a mobile force, with a high physical strength and combat capability.
Colonel (Rtd.) Mohamed Nazim (Dhivehi: މުޙައްމަދު ނާޡިމް is the former Minister of Defence and National Security of the Republic of Maldives and a politician. He is a founding member of Maldives National Party and currently the serving as the President of the party. He first became the Defense Minister on 8 February 2012 under the presidency of Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik. He last served as the Administrative Officer of the Integrated Headquarters of Maldives National Defense Force. He retired from active service on 15 January 2011.
The 2012 FAM Women's Football Championship was the inaugural staging of the FAM Women's Football Championship in the Maldives. The competition began on 15 December 2012, and ended on 30 December 2012.
Mariya Didi is a Maldivian barrister and politician who served as the Minister of Defense of the Maldives. After being the campaign manager for president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during the 2018 elections, she was appointed the nation's first-ever female Minister of Defence.
New Radiant Sports Club is a Maldivian professional football club based in Henveiru – Malé, Maldives. The club was founded on 19 August 1979 by Ahmed Waheed and his friend Ahammadhanik. New Radiant has won all domestic competitions being held in the Maldives and the club is the most successful in the Maldives in terms of trophies won and is also the most successful Maldivian club in the international arena. They were semi-finalists in the AFC Cup in 2005 and the only Maldivian club to have progressed beyond group stages in the AFC cup in multiple occasions.
The Ministry of Defence is the Maldivian government agency responsible for protecting the independence and the integrity of the Maldivian citizenry.
The Military ranks of the Maldives are the ranks used by the Maldives National Defence Force. The ranks are based on a combination of the traditional British military system and the U.S. military system. The highest flag rank ever awarded was that of lieutenant general, in a non-military capacity to the previous Minister of Defence, Abdul Sattar, although the President being the Commander-in-Chief, used to hold the rank of general in a non-military capacity. However, after the restructuring efforts in 2012, the highest military rank in Maldives National Defence Force is set to Major General rank, designated to the Chief of Defence Force.
The Chief of Defence Force is the highest-ranking military officer of in the Maldives National Defence Force, who is responsible for maintaining the operational command of the military.
Brigadier General Abdulla Ibrahim is a staff officer of Maldives National Defence Force and the commandant of Maldives Presidential Guard (PG).
