The naval vessel gifted to the Maldives by the Australian Government has been officially commissioned into service with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard.
At a special ceremony held at the Hulhumalé International Terminal on July 27, the vessel was officially commissioned and unveiled as MNDF Coast Guard Ship Imaaduddin by His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Commander-in-Chief of the Maldives National Defence Force.
Upon the arrival of His Excellency the President, an arrival call was played, followed by a Guard of Honour presented in his honour and the playing of the national anthem of the Maldives.
During the ceremony, the symbolic vessel was presented on behalf of the Australian Government by Australia’s Special Envoy for the Indian Ocean, the Honourable Tim Watts. On behalf of the Government of Maldives, the Minister of Defence, Honourable Hassan Rasheed, accepted the official handover document and presented a commemorative letter of appreciation to the Government of Australia in recognition of its generous support.
Following the unveiling of the vessel’s name, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu presented the Commissioning Warrant and the National Flag to the vessel’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Shinan Zahir, officially commissioning the vessel into active service. The ceremony continued with the ship’s officers and crew carrying out the traditional commissioning drill, formally marking the vessel’s induction into operational service.
After the official commissioning, His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu boarded MNDF Coast Guard Ship Imaaduddin to inspect the vessel and signed the Visitors' Book to commemorate the historic occasion.
Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy and Australia’s Special Envoy for the Indian Ocean, the Honourable Tim Watts, speaking on behalf of the Australian government, delivered remarks at the ceremony.
The newest addition to the MNDF Coast Guard fleet has been named Imaaduddin in honour of Sultan Mohamed Imaaduddin I (Siri Kula Sundhura Kattiri Bavana Maharadhun), historically known as Kalhu Thukkalaa or Bodu Rasgefaanu of the Utheemu Dynasty.
Designed and built by Australia’s renowned shipbuilder Austal Limited, the brand-new vessel is purpose-built for extended maritime operations and equipped with state-of-the-art systems and advanced navigation technology. The vessel was officially handed over to the Government of Maldives on April 19, 2026, during a ceremony in Perth, Western Australia.
Departing from Western Australia, the vessel completed a voyage of over 3,000 nautical miles to reach the Maldives. This historic journey marked the longest continuous voyage ever undertaken solely by personnel of the MNDF Coast Guard. Following a 14-day transit, the vessel arrived in Malé on June 15, 2026. Prior to the commissioning, the vessel’s crew successfully completed a comprehensive three-month pre-commissioning training program in Australia. To further enhance operational readiness and practical seamanship, MNDF Coast Guard officers and enlisted sailors also participated in a two-week joint maritime training program with the Cook Islands Police Maritime Wing.
The commissioning of MNDF Coast Guard Ship Imaaduddin marks a major milestone in the 52-year diplomatic relationship between the Republic of Maldives and Australia. The vessel symbolizes expanding defence cooperation between the two nations, highlighting a shared commitment to regional maritime security, stability, and capacity building. As a vital addition to the MNDF Coast Guard fleet, Ship Imaaduddin will significantly multiply operational capabilities in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, security, and vast maritime territory.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, Australia’s Special Envoy for the Indian Ocean the Honourable Tim Watts, Australian High Commissioner H.E. David Jessup, Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, Vice Chief of Defence Force Brigadier General Ahmed Ghiyas, MNDF General Officers, and the Defence Adviser of Australia to the Maldives Colonel Amanda Johnston.