The Coast Guard ship given by the Australian Government to the Maldives was formally launched on Monday night.

The ship reached the Maldives on the 15th of the previous month.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu launched the vessel and officially put it into operation during a ceremony on Monday evening.

The ship has been called “Imaduddin.”

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu obtained the Coast Guard vessel in partnership with the Australian Government to enhance Maldives' defense capabilities and protect the country’s independence and sovereignty.

The ship is entirely new and constructed by Austal Ltd. at the Henderson shipyard located in Perth, Australia.

It is named for Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin I to acknowledge his attempts to enhance the defense of the Maldives.

The ship is outfitted with the newest systems and technologies for comprehensive activities at sea. Before arriving in the Maldives, the MNDF Coast Guard team underwent specialized training in Australia to manage the vessel.

The ship will greatly improve the Navy’s capacity to oversee the nation’s maritime domain, deter unlawful activities at sea, and carry out search and rescue missions during maritime emergencies. MNDF considers this a significant advancement for Maldives’ contribution to regional security and stability.

Last year, Turkey also provided a military Coast Guard ship to the Maldives. Moreover, drones have been acquired from Turkey to enhance the security abilities of the Maldives.

The President has committed to increasing the Coast Guard's operational capacity twofold and transforming the MNDF into a force fully capable of overseeing Maldivian waters.