The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF; Dhivehi: ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ދިފާއީ ބާރު, romanized: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Qaumee Dhifaaee Baaru) 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 country, its territorial integrity, its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the people. Its branches include the Maldivian Coast Guard, MNDF Marine Corps, MNDF Air Corps, and MNDF Fire and Rescue Service.

History
The Maldives has a recorded history of human habitation spanning over 25 centuries. Throughout its substantial history, the country has maintained its status as a sovereign and independent nation; with the exception of 2 time periods — an occupation by the Portuguese Empire the 16th century and in 1887 to 1965 as a British protectorate. Despite the small size, humble population, and significant geographically strategic value, the Maldives has preserved its freedom though dexterous diplomacy and selfless sacrifice of many Maldivian heroes who fought to defend the nation.
Origins of the Maldivian military began with the campaign for the expulsion of the Portuguese forces let the by the national hero As-Sulṭaan al-Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-A'uẓam who raised the first known organized military body referred to as the "Hagu beykalun". However while this did mark the birth of a structured defense force, the modern military institution was formally established by As-Sulṭaan Ibrahim Nooraddeen on 21 April 1892 by the name of "Sifain".
Over the following century the military underwent many institutional reforms. Till 1979 it was called the National Guard and under the Ministry of Public Safety. 1979 onward the forces was reformed as the National Security Service (NSS) and as part of the Ministry of Defense and National Security. For several decades the police force was an integral part of NSS until 1 September 2004 — when it was decreed to be renamed as Maldives Police Service and as a separate civil entity under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The final significant transition happened on 21 April 2006 — the 114th anniversary; when it was renamed as the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and the force structure was reorganized and modernized with the introduction of the Marine Corps, the expansion of the Coast Guard fleet, and the move towards the modern joint operational philosophy.

Force structure

Combat and maneuver forces
Maldivian Coast Guard
MNDF Marine Corps
MNDF Air Corps
MNDF Fire and Rescue Service

Support services
MNDF Service Corps
MNDF Defence Intelligence Service
MNDF Medical Corps
MNDF Adjutant General's Corps

Operational and functional organization

Area commands
MNDF Northern Area Command
MNDF Malé Area Command
MNDF Central Area Command
MNDF Southern Area Command

Functional commands

MNDF Special Forces
Special Forces (Maldives)
MNDF Special Protection Service
MNDF Ordnance Service: The Ordnance Service is currently commanded by Brigadier General Hassan Shahidh.

Rank structure

The ranking system of the MNDF is based on the traditional British military system and U.S. military system. The highest flag rank ever awarded was that of lieutenant general, in a non-military capacity to the previous Defence Minister Abdul Sattar, although the president being the commander in chief also holds the rank of general in a non-military capacity.

Serving general officers

Major General Ibrahim Hilmy - Chief of Defence Force
Brigadier General Ahmed Ghiyas Vice Chief of Defence Force
Brigadier General Ismail Shareef - Commander, MNDF Northern Area Command
Brigadier General Abdulla Zuhury - Commandant, MNDF Marine Corps
Brigadier General Dr. Ali Shahid Mohamed - Surgeon General, MNDF Medical Corps
Brigadier General Abdul Rauf - Commandant, MNDF Air Corps
Brigadier General Ibrahim Rasheed - Commander, MNDF Male' Area Command
Brigadier General Mohamed Ibrahim - Commander, MNDF Central Area Command
Brigadier General Abdulla Ibrahim - Commanding Officer, College of Defence and Security Studies (CDSS)
Brigadier General Hassan Shahid - Director General, J3 IHQ
Brigadier General Mohamed Saleem - Commandant, Coast Guard
Brigadier General Hussain Ibrahim - Director General, DIDC
Brigadier General Ahmed Thohir - Commandant, MNDF Fire & Rescue Service
Brigadier General Ismail Naseer - Commandant, MNDF Service Corps
Brigadier General Hussain Fairoosh - Director General, Defence Intelligence Service
Brigadier General Hussain Ali - Adjutant General, Adjutant General's Corps

Retired general officers
Lieutenant General Ambaree Abdul Sattar 1 (Deputy Commander in Chief of Armed Forces from 21 April 1992 – 1 January 1996)
Major General Mohamed Zahir (Chief of Defence Force from 1 January 1996 – 18 Nov 2008)
Major General Moosa Ali Jaleel 5 (Chief of Defence Force from 18 Nov 2008 – 7 February 2012 )
Major General Adam Zahir (Commissioner of Police) 2
Major General Ahmed Shiyam (Former Chief of Defence Force)
Brigadier General Ahmed Shahid (Former Vice Chief of Defence Force)
Brigadier General Farhath Shaheer (Former Vice Chief of Defence Force)
Brigadier General Ahmed Shahid (Former Vice Chief of Defence Force)
Brigadier General Ahmed Naeem Mohamed
Brigadier General Zakariyya Mansoor - Director General of Counter-Terrorism, Ministry of Defence
Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Didi
Brigadier General Ahmed Mohamed (former Vice Chief of Defence Force )
Brigadier General Ali Zuhair (former commander of Coast Guard)
Lieutenant General Abdulla Shamaal ( Former Chief of Defence Force)
Major General Hamid Shafeeq
(Former Commandant, MNDF Service Corps)

Major General Wais Waheed
(Former Commandant, MNDF Marine Corps)

Lieutenant General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef (Former Chief of Defence Force)
Brigadier General Mohamed Shareef (Former Commandant of MNDF fire and rescue)

Dismissed general officers
Colonel Ahmed Nilam4

Notes

See also
MNDF Coast Guard
MNDF Marine Corps
MNDF Special Forces
Maldives Police Service
MNDF Air Corps

References

Notes

External links
Official website