Turkey continues to expand its defense cooperation with friendly nations by supporting the development of their security infrastructures. Under a recent agreement between the Republic of Turkey and the Maldives, the Turkish Navy will donate the Doğan-class fast attack craft TCG Volkan to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). This strategic move aims to strengthen the Maldives’ maritime security, enhance its coastal defense capacity, and deepen defense cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.

The TCG Volkan has undergone comprehensive maintenance and overhaul at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command in preparation for its transfer. According to the plan, the vessel will be transported to the Maldives between April and June 2025 via a dock landing ship. Upon arrival, a technical team from the Turkish Navy will commission the vessel, ensuring it becomes fully operational within the Maldivian naval structure.

The donation process is expected to be completed by July 2025. Beyond the transfer of the vessel itself, the project includes an extensive training and capability-building program. Maldivian naval personnel assigned to TCG Volkan began individual training sessions in Turkey on April 7, scheduled to conclude on May 9. Following the ship’s activation in the Maldives, a Turkish Navy training team will conduct a two-week onboard advanced unit training program for the entire crew, focusing on tactical maneuvers, navigation, and maritime security operations.

The Doğan-class vessels are known for their high speed, agility, and operational efficiency, making them ideal for nations focusing on coastal defense and maritime security. This donation will significantly enhance the Maldives’ ability to conduct anti-smuggling, search and rescue, and maritime patrol missions, while strengthening Turkey’s diplomatic and strategic footprint across the Indian Ocean.