Victory Day drill showcases MNDF’s tactical strength

Suddenly, the soldiers received chilling news: terrorists were planning to infiltrate the Maldives by sea, take hostages, and issue demands to the government. An attack was imminent.

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) sprang into action. A joint task force, comprising land, sea, and air units, was mobilized. Operational readiness was raised to the highest level.

But just as preparations began, even more alarming intelligence came in: armed assailants were targeting a Maldivian fishing vessel, intending to abduct civilians.

The fishing boat had managed to alert the MNDF. But when the military tried to reestablish contact, there was only silence.

Scenarios like these are not far-fetched, they represent real threats the Maldives could face. And this was the story brought to life by the MNDF’s dramatic Victory Day demonstration at Republic Square on Monday.

The operation featured the latest military vehicles and cutting-edge tactics.

The search for the missing vessel began immediately. A drone, added to the MNDF fleet for the first time by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, took to the skies. Within minutes, it had located the fishing boat. Coordinates were relayed to the joint task force.

The Dharumavantha, a missile-launching vessel gifted by Türkiye, was dispatched to the scene. Onboard were elite troops from the Coast Guard’s Special Boat Squadron, trained to operate in high-risk maritime conditions.

The soldiers stormed the fishing boat. A firefight erupted. Hostages were rescued. The enemy was neutralized.

The demonstration showcased how drones, naval assets, and coordinated assault teams would respond to a real-life maritime threat. It was a glimpse into the evolving capabilities of the Maldivian military.

But the action didn’t stop at sea.

On land, MNDF forces launched a second operation, this time to rescue civilians held hostage in a building. Armoured vehicles rolled in. Troops advanced. The assault was swift and precise, designed to neutralize the threat without causing collateral damage.

The event, attended by President Muizzu and senior government officials, was more than a show of force. It was a message: the Maldives is prepared. Thirty-seven years after the November 3 attack, the nation’s defenders stand ready to face any threat, on land, at sea, or in the skies.