By Malik Ejder
The TCG VOLKAN assault boat, donated by Turkey to the friendly brotherly country of Maldives, which does not have a navy, was put into service with a ceremony held at Male Port. The ceremony was attended by Maldives President Muhamed Muizzu, our Ambassador to Colombo Semih Lütfü Turgut, and our Navy Commander Admiral Kadir Yıldız. Turkey donated the TCG VOLKAN assault boat, which is 45 years old and whose counterparts have been scrapped, to the Maldives. (It was likely maintained and then delivered.) The Maldives President personally attended the ceremony. For the Maldives, which does not have a navy, this is a very valuable gift. Let me explain why…The Maldives, a country with a population of 400,000 and 98% Muslim, consists of 1,200 islands. Of the 281 inhabited islands, 195 are home to local people, while 86 are used as “hotel islands.” The importance of naval forces is significant for combating illegal fishing, terrorism, and piracy. Naturally, there is a great need for naval forces. The Maldives does not have a navy: They try to protect their maritime continental shelf with a coast guard force. The Indian Navy donated a Trinkat-class patrol vessel in April 2006. Then, in May 2023, India donated a Car Nicobar-class patrol vessel. The vessel was named MCGS Huravee and replaced the older MCGS Huravee donated in 2006. So, the Doğan-class TCG Volkan assault boat we donated to the Maldives is invaluable for them.President Erdoğan greatly values Muslim countries. He does not distinguish between “small” and “large.” He tries to do whatever he can for them. Maldives President Muhammed Muizzu requested military support from President Erdoğan. Of course, Erdoğan did not turn him away. When Maldives President Muhammed Muizzu came to Turkey, he was shown around TUSAŞ. He saw with his own eyes the high level of military advancement Turkey has reached. The essence of the matter: Whatever is needed, we are at your service. The Maldives consists of 1,200 islands. Ships are needed to combat pirates and illegal fishermen. But drones are also needed for surveillance. We gave them 6 Bayraktar TB-2s. May they use them well. The moment Maldives President Muhammed Muizzu encountered the legendary Turkish drone, the Bayraktar TB-2. We, the entire ummah, share this pride together. We packaged, wrapped, and delivered 6 TB-2s. May they use them well. They do not need to depend on the USA or China. Before delivering the TCG VOLKAN assault boat we donated to the Maldives, we also provided training to our brothers, of course. The training will continue for some time.I can hear the question: “What business do we have with the Maldives?” The background of the Turkey-Maldives alliance: Turkey gifted the TCG Volkan to the Maldives and also gave them 6 TB-2s. This exchange will continue. With this move, Turkey continues to establish a security ring around Somali waters. The Maldives is considered a maritime neighbor of Somalia because its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) overlaps with Somali waters. Currently, two Turkish Navy frigates are protecting Somali waters. By deploying Turkish naval equipment in Maldivian waters, Turkey is effectively establishing a security corridor extending from Somalia to the Maldives across the Indian Ocean. The 1977-model TCG VOLKAN assault boat we gifted to the Maldives is not a modern warship, after all. It can easily neutralize pirate ships illegally entering the Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone. It combats smugglers and illegal fishermen. The coast guard catches approximately 100-200 pirates each year. It will do its job more than adequately. It’s like a beast. The TCG VOLKAN assault boat we gifted to the Maldives: 2 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, 1 76 mm Oto Melara main gun, 1 35 mm twin-barreled air defense gun, 2 7.62 mm machine guns. It can easily combat pirates and smugglers. May it be beneficial.Addition: Turkey’s Indian Ocean outreach. By developing military, economic, and strategic relations with Somalia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Bangladesh, Turkey is pursuing the goal of becoming a transoceanic global power.
