Australia pledged to donate a Guardian-class patrol boat to the Maldives on Monday, as both countries reiterated their commitment to deepening the defense cooperation and maintaining security in the Indian ocean region.
The announcement was made in a joint press statement following a meeting between visiting Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles and Maldivian Defense Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon on Monday morning, during which they discussed contemporary strategic and security challenges, and avenues for deepening defense cooperation between Male’ and Canberra.
Guardian-class patrol boats are a class of small patrol vessels designed and built in Australia, and provided to countries as part of the Australian government's Pacific Maritime Security Program.
Guardian-class patrol boat. (Photo/Austal)
Both Maldives and Australia described the announcement as “a key milestone in our bilateral relationship and a significant step towards enhancing Maldives’ capability to protect its sovereign waters and contribute to maritime security in the Indian Ocean.”
The Guardian-class patrol boat is under construction and due for completion next year. Australia has also pledged to work closely with the Maldives to develop a maintenance and sustainment package to support the vessel.
Once done, the vessel will provide Maldives a more persistent presence in its vast exclusive economic zone to deter, detect and disrupt illegal maritime activities.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles (CL) and Maldivian Defense Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon (CR) meet on June 2, 2025. (Photo/Defense Ministry)
In addition to the new vessel, Australia is also set to gift a multi-beam echo sounder to Maldives. The hydrographic equipment will support Maldives’ capability to map its ocean floor, helping to ensure maritime safety and unlock economic development.
Marles said that Australia is proud to support its maritime security capability, adding that the initiative upholds a shared commitment to security, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.
“Australia is pleased to gift a Guardian-class Patrol Boat to Maldives and will continue to seek opportunities to deepen our long-standing defense partnership,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ghassan thanked Australia for the generous gift of a Guardian-class patrol boat and hydrographic equipment, describing it as “a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between our nations.”
“Our nations are bound by a mutual commitment to the safety and security of the seas — particularly in the vital area of search and rescue operations, where we share a common border,” he said.
He added that the gifting of the vessel also brings the Maldives closer to the realization of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s vision of doubling the strength of the Maldives Coast Guard.