President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced a substantial increase in defence spending and infrastructure investment, positioning the initiative as a strategic imperative to safeguard national sovereignty. The announcement, delivered during a Victory Day ceremony, was accompanied by a call for civic vigilance, with the president urging all Maldivians to defend the nation through intellectual resolve and collective unity.
The proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year allocates USD 181.56 million to defence-related programmes. According to President Muizzu, the sector has received special priority over the past two years, with renewed focus on both physical infrastructure and human capital development.
A key element of this investment is the rehabilitation of facilities used by the Maldives National Defence Force and the Maldives Police Service. The president acknowledged the deteriorating condition of existing infrastructure, particularly in the capital, and pledged decisive action. “The buildings currently used by the Maldives National Defence Force in Malé are very old and dilapidated,” he said, promising to resolve the issue.
The administration has outlined targeted projects to enhance training capacity and operational readiness. These include the refurbishment of Kalhuthuhkalaa Koshi and the construction of new training centres in Addu City and Girifushi.
“The facilities required by the military at Kalhuthuhkalaa Koshi are becoming old and falling into disrepair,” President Muizzu stated. “We will bring this situation to an end and provide a definitive solution. Furthermore, a decision has been made to construct a new military training centre in Addu City, in the south. Work on the training centre in Girifushi has already commenced.”
In parallel with physical upgrades, the government is expanding its investment in youth engagement through the Maldives National Service programme. Beginning next year, the initiative will offer placements to 1,000 young people annually. The decision follows strong demand for the programme, with over 1,200 applicants competing for approximately 300 placements this year.
President Muizzu also addressed the philosophical dimension of national defence, asserting that the protection of independence is not the exclusive responsibility of uniformed personnel. He urged citizens to recognise the power of intellect and unity as the nation’s most enduring safeguard.
He affirmed that the memory of those who sacrificed for the country’s independence would remain as long as the Maldivian nation endures. He also highlighted the importance of religious and cultural cohesion, noting that Maldivians are a united people, firm in the noble religion of Islam, a truth that must be conveyed to future generations.
In a pointed reflection on the nature of sovereignty in a globalised era, the president described the intellect as the most powerful weapon available to every citizen: “Not everyone can be provided with training and a weapon. However, every individual possesses the most powerful weapon. That is the intellect, the mind bestowed upon us by Almighty Allah,” the president said.
He elaborated that national resilience depends on the individual’s commitment to the country. “As long as an individual resolves to direct their intellect toward the nation, working day and night with their mind and heart to sincerely love the country and committing to act in its interests, there will be no cause for concern regarding the fate of this nation,” he said.
While governments may build infrastructure, the president stressed that the strength of a nation ultimately derives from its people. He urged citizens to prioritise national interests over personal gain and to engage actively, even through digital platforms, in defending the country: “If every individual thinks toward the nation and utilises the phone in their hand, employing the reality of social media, and works in alignment with national interests, all such attacks can be destroyed immediately.”
He concluded by reaffirming that the protection of national sovereignty and the transmission of independence to future generations must remain a source of pride for every Maldivian.