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Ministry of Defence

About Us

We are working to build a stronger and more resilient nation for you, together with the following institutions and agencies.

One ministry, five institutions

MNDF

Maldives National Defence Force

Defends the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Maldives and its exclusive economic zone.

NCTC

National Counter Terrorism Centre

Coordinates the national effort to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism.

AVSECOM

Aviation and Port Security Command

Keeps the airports and seaports of the Maldives secure.

MHS

Maldives Hydrographic Service

Surveys and charts the waters of the Maldives for safe navigation.

NDMA

National Disaster Management Authority

Prepares the nation for disasters and leads the response when they strike.

In addition to the institutions and agencies above, the Minister of Defence oversees the Directorate of Aviation Security Administration (DASA) - the designated appropriate authority for civil aviation security in the Republic of Maldives by the Presidential Decree (116) on 7 February 2016 to perform regulatory and oversight functions in addition to implementing preventative aviation security measures. Its duties are listed under aviation and port security in the mandate below. For the latest updates on DASA's activities, see @dasamaldives on Twitter.

Vision

  • to protect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Maldives.
  • to safeguard and uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives.
  • to uphold the legally elected government of the Republic of Maldives.
  • to protect all citizens of the Republic of Maldives

Mission

  • to protect and uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives.
  • to uphold the legally elected government of the Republic of Maldives.
  • to enforce and execute policies concerning national security
  • to defend and protect the Republic of Maldives, its territorial integrity and its Exclusive Economic Zone and its people.
  • To guard and protect the nation’s people and borders from all illegal activities by land, air and sea, and to provide emergency relief and ensure disaster preparedness and mitigation, through oversight of the functions of Maldives National Defence Force, Aviation Security Command, Maldives Immigration, National Disaster Management Authority, National Counter Terrorism Center and Maldives Hydrographic Service.

Mandate

The duties the ministry is mandated to carry out, grouped by area. Each keeps its number from the official mandate.

Defence and national security
  1. Protecting and defending the Maldives and its Constitution against any threats to the country's independence and sovereignty. Taking all necessary measures to prevent such threats, whether from individuals or groups.
  2. Aid and assist the President and the Commander in Chief in formulating the policy on National Security and Defence of the Maldives.
  3. Safeguard the Maldives' land, airspace, sea, and seabed within the archipelagic baseline defined in the Constitution. Assisting the government in implementing and enforcing laws and regulations pertaining to these areas.
  4. Protect and defend the Maldives' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which encompasses all living and nonliving resources within its boundaries. Taking necessary actions against individuals or vessels engaged in illegal activities such as unlawful fisheries, smuggling, piracy, or any other unauthorized activities within Maldivian waters, and the within the country's jurisdiction.
  5. Monitor the activities of foreign aircrafts and vessels within the sovereign territory of the Maldives and taking appropriate action to prevent illegal activities by such aircrafts and vessels.
  6. Conduct search and rescue operations within the Maldivian Search and Rescue Region (SRR) and take necessary actions to prevent loss of life and minimize property damage resulting from incidents within the SRR.
  7. Implement necessary regulations to prevent fire incidents and undertaking steps to mitigate such incidents. Conducting firefighting and rescue operations to save lives and minimize damage to property.
  8. Protect lives and property during natural disasters and providing necessary assistance to relevant government authorities to expedite the restoration of normalcy.
  9. Gather intelligence, assess risks, and take necessary measures to prevent any infringement on the independence, sovereignty, national integrity, and legally elected government of the country. React to and conduct operations during situations that pose such risks.
  10. Assist the relevant government authorities in preventing any activity that may harm national security and disrupt peace within the country.
Aviation and port security
  1. Ensure the security of all airports and seaports of the Maldives.
  2. Advise on new policies and revisions to existing policies that govern the security of the civil aviation system and international seaports and port facilities of the Maldives.
  3. Formulate regulations, standards and procedures for the security of the civil aviation system and international seaports and port facilities of the Maldives.
  4. Monitor vessels and aircraft, passengers and cargo that arrive to and depart from seaports and airports of the Maldives; assist relevant government authorities in inspection and control of the same; and control access of people and goods that enter and exit the premises of airports and ports.
  5. Ensure that the institutions responsible for security at civil airports and international seaports of the Maldives have adequate space, support facilities, equipment and resources.
  6. Obtain information from domestic intelligence agencies and international organisations on potential threats to the civil aviation system and international seaports of the Maldives, securely store and analyse the information; share the results of these analyses and threat assessments with the relevant parties in accordance with established procedures.
  7. Assess the threats facing the Maldivian civil aviation system and international seaports, set the appropriate threat level for the situation and notify the relevant parties on the same.
  8. Conduct inspections and audits to determine compliance with prescribed security standards and procedures for the Maldivian civil aviation system, international seaports, and port facilities; to direct corrections for identified deficiencies; and monitor progress of implementation of corrections.
  9. Formulate and ensure implementation of national standards and programmes (including National Civil Aviation Security Programme – NCASP) in order to prevent unlawful interference and ensure the security of the Maldives civil aviation industry.
  10. Organise and undertake all activities the ministry is responsible for, towards entities providing aviation security related services, under the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP); and issue required directives.
  11. Coordinate matters related to civil aviation security.
  12. Evaluate and approve security programmes and plans related to all entities active in the Maldivian civil aviation system.
  13. Grant approvals to establish, operate, and provide services at civil airports in the Maldives per the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP).
  14. Issue the civil aviation security approvals required for obtaining and renewing an Airport Operator Certificate.
  15. Grant the approval(s) and complete any related obligations the Ministry must fulfil for the carriage of weapons by air, in accordance with the procedures set out in airline security programmes.
  16. Implement national aviation safety protocols and mechanisms as prescribed by the “Safeguarding International Civil Aviation Against Acts of Unlawful Interference” of “The Convention on International Civil Aviation”; ensure the implementation of measures for civil aviation mandated to the Maldives as a state party; and represent the Maldives in such matters.
  17. Investigate security breach incidents at civil airports of the Maldives and prepare reports on the same and share with relevant parties.
  18. Establish a confidential reporting system whereby users of civil airports of Maldives can report concerns relating to civil aviation security.
  19. Take action, in accordance with the procedures set out in the National Quality Control Programme, against entities within the Maldivian civil aviation system that fail to implement civil aviation security regulations and standards or fail to act in accordance with agreed-upon corrective action plans.
  20. Set the standards for security equipment used to maintain security at civil airports and international seaports in the Maldives and authorise their operational use.
  21. Coordinate all matters relating to security audits conducted in the Maldives by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and by the institutions of other states designated as the appropriate authorities for civil aviation security.
  22. Plan and conduct inspections and quality control activities to verify that airlines registered in the Maldives comply with their Airline Operator Security Programmes at the domestic and international airports they operate to, and coordinate the inspections conducted at international airports by the institutions of other states designated as appropriate authorities for civil aviation security.
  23. Formulate the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP), the National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme and the National Civil Aviation Security Quality Control Programme in line with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); review these programmes and make the necessary amendments; and direct relevant institutions to implement the said programmes.
  24. License aviation security training centres in the Maldives, approve national civil aviation security training programmes, and plan and conduct requisite training programmes in the ministry’s role as the regulator of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP).
  25. Assist other states in implementing civil aviation security standards and represent the Maldives in regional and international bodies established to exchange technical information on civil aviation security.
  26. Ensure that all relevant parties comply with the security standards set for international seaports and port facilities of the Maldives.
  27. Execute, on behalf of the Maldives, international agreements, conventions and protocols on the security of international seaports, including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), Chapter XI-2 (Special Measures to Enhance Maritime Security), and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code made under that Convention; to fulfil the obligations under such instruments to which the Maldives is a party; and represent the Maldives in international forums on seaport security.
  28. Execute, on behalf of the Maldives, international agreements, conventions and protocols on the security of maritime navigation, including the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA) and the Djibouti Code of Conduct Concerning the Repression of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships; to fulfil the obligations under such instruments to which the Maldives is a party; and represent the Maldives in international forums on security of maritime navigation.
  29. Determine which international seaports and port facilities of Maldives require a “Captain of the Port” and a “Port Facility Security Officer”, and approve appointments to those posts.
  30. Set the “security level” of international seaports of Maldives in accordance with the prevailing circumstances.
  31. Plan and conduct port security training programmes and train port security service providers.
  32. Issue security clearances required for obtaining and renewing licences to operate ports and port facilities.
  33. Plan and administer the work of the National Maritime Security Committee and maintain its secretariat.
  34. Provide technical assistance to the parties engaged in implementing the regulations, standards and procedures related to the security of civil airports and international seaports of the Maldives.
Air and sea ambulance
  1. Provide the national air ambulance and sea ambulance services for medical emergencies.
  2. Provide maintenance and support for the air ambulance and sea ambulance fleet, as well as train the air and sea ambulance crew.
Prohibited imports and chemical weapons
  1. Implement the provisions of Law 04/75 (Prohibited Items for Import) that fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence.
  2. Implement the provisions of Law 22/2022 (Prohibition of Chemical Weapons).
Maldives National Service
  1. Formulate and implement the policies and procedures related to the Maldives National Service.
  2. Plan and execute all matters relating to the enrolment and registration of those joining Maldives National Service activities; and manage their administrative affairs.
  3. Establish and implement the Maldives National Service training system.
  4. Monitor training and education programmes conducted under the Maldives National Service training system; and collaborate with relevant institutions to develop the system.
  5. Conduct Maldives National Service training programmes in accordance with established policies, standards and procedures; and coordinate the planning and conduct of National Service training programmes run jointly with other agencies/organisations.
  6. Arrange for those who complete Maldives National Service training to serve their active service period at entities as determined by the President.
  7. Register members of the Maldives National Service who complete their active service period as reserve members, per Presidential direction; and arrange the requisite administrative provisions.
  8. Issue call-up notices and make administrative arrangements in circumstances requiring members of the Maldives National Service to be called up for national service.
  9. Formulate and propose the budget required to administer the Maldives National Service; procure/acquire resources and equipment required by the Maldives National Service; and manage matters relating to benefits for members.
  10. To monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Maldives National Service system; and take the necessary measures to further strengthen and develop it.
Development, treaties and law
  1. Implement all defence-related development projects in accordance with the National Development Plan.
  2. Identify and implement all activities mandated by international and regional treaties, conventions, and agreements signed by the country.
  3. Provide technical assistance to the relevant parties in drafting bills within the Ministry’s mandate.
  4. Fulfil all legal responsibilities associated with the mandate of the Ministry of Defence.

Agencies under the ministry

The following agencies fall under the purview of the Ministry of Defence and National Service.

  • Aviation and Port Security Command
  • National Counter Terrorism Centre
  • Maldives Hydrographic Service