Maldives Commissions Donated Turkish Doğan-Class Fast Attack Craft Enhancing Regional Naval Balance.

On August 15, 2025, the Maldives National Defence Force officially commissioned the former Turkish Navy fast attack craft TCG Volkan, renamed Dharumavantha, as reported by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of National Defence. The vessel, donated by Türkiye, represents a major step in strengthening the maritime security posture of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. The commissioning ceremony, presided over by President Mohamed Muizzu, underlined the strategic importance of this transfer at a time of increasing regional maritime challenges. The acquisition, accompanied by crew training in Türkiye, highlights the growing defense cooperation between the two countries and signals a shift in the Maldives’ ability to safeguard its waters.
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The commissioning of Dharumavantha marks a turning point for the Maldives Navy, equipping it with a platform that not only expands its maritime patrol and defense capability but also enhances its standing in a strategically contested region (Picture source: YorukIsik X-account)

The Dharumavantha, formerly TCG Volkan (P-343), belongs to the Doğan-class fast attack craft family, originally designed by Germany’s Lürssen Werft and produced for the Turkish Navy in the early 1980s. Measuring 58.1 meters and displacing 436 tons, the vessel is powered by four MTU diesel engines generating 12,000 horsepower, allowing speeds up to 38 knots and a range of over 1,000 nautical miles. Its armament includes a 76 mm Oto Melara naval gun and a twin-barrel Oerlikon 35 mm air-defense turret, supported by advanced fire-control radar and decoy systems. Although the Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers were not included in the transfer, the ship remains a formidable platform for coastal defense and interdiction missions. Maldivian authorities may also consider future upgrades, potentially equipping the vessel with Turkish-made defensive or offensive systems such as the Atmaca anti-ship missile, which would significantly enhance its strike capabilities.

Originally commissioned into Turkish service in 1981, TCG Volkan was modernized during its career and reclassified as a test and training vessel in 2024 before being prepared for transfer. Maintenance and refits were conducted at Istanbul Naval Shipyard ahead of the handover, ensuring full operational readiness. Maldivian naval personnel trained in Türkiye between April and May 2025, with additional onboard training provided by Turkish technical teams upon the vessel’s arrival in Malé. The transfer reflects decades of operational experience accumulated by the Turkish Navy with the class, offering the Maldives a tested and reliable asset.

In comparative terms, the Doğan-class vessels marked a leap forward in Türkiye’s naval modernization when first introduced, being the country’s first class to field Harpoon missiles. Similar vessels, such as Germany’s original FPB-57 design or other fast attack craft fielded by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern navies, established the model of high-speed strike assets capable of enforcing sea denial close to national waters. While the Maldivian variant lacks missiles, its gun systems and speed still provide a deterrent against illicit maritime activities, piracy, and intrusions. By contrast, many regional small navies rely only on patrol boats with lighter armaments, giving Dharumavantha a qualitative edge.

Strategically, the induction of Dharumavantha significantly strengthens the Maldives’ ability to project authority across its exclusive economic zone. Situated along key Indian Ocean shipping lanes, the country faces challenges from illegal fishing, smuggling, and wider geopolitical competition. The gift from Türkiye enhances both its defensive and offensive maritime capacities, enabling quicker response to incursions and providing a credible platform for joint operations with regional partners. The symbolic aspect of a NATO-member state gifting such a vessel also signals Türkiye’s intent to expand its defense diplomacy footprint in South Asia, adding another layer to the evolving Indian Ocean security architecture.

The commissioning of Dharumavantha marks a turning point for the Maldives Navy, equipping it with a platform that not only expands its maritime patrol and defense capability but also enhances its standing in a strategically contested region. By integrating a proven Turkish-built fast attack craft into its fleet, the Maldives secures a stronger position in safeguarding territorial waters and contributing to Indian Ocean stability. This transfer underscores the growing defense partnership between Malé and Ankara while signaling a broader shift in regional naval balances, where even small island nations are now fielding assets with significant deterrent potential.