Ghassan: Purchase of tankers was necessary despite economic state

Defense Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon states it was necessary to procure resources such as tankers, drones and missiles for the Maldivian military even though it required substantial spending from state funds despite the current economic state of the nation.

The recent procurement of tankers for Maldivian military amid a difficult financial situation had garnered public backlash.

During a ministerial questioning session at Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting, MDP’s South Hulhumale’ MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed questioned whether it was appropriate policy to spend some 150 million on procuring tankers, drones, and missiles, while many of the public’s basic needs remain unmet and the nation struggles to repay its debt burdens.

In response, Minister Ghassan said the government has not defaulted on any foreign loans since President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu—elected by the Maldivian people—took office. He added that the government was also actively working on improving services provided to the public at a rapid pace.

According to the Minister, it is the Maldivian military that must safeguard the nation's independence and sovereignty in its fullest sense. As such, he expressed his belief that procuring these resources is essential to enhancing the military’s capacity and capability.

“It is a responsibility bestowed upon the Maldivian National Defense Force by the constitution and laws. They are mandated to fulfill it. Therewith, I believe this was necessary,” he said.

Last year, the government procured two Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from Türkiye and established the Maldivian National Defense Force (MNDF)’s Air Corps for the first time.

Just recently, several new vehicles, including tankers, were procured for the military.

According to MNDF, the vehicles manufactured by the United Arab Emirates are of better quality than ones previously used by the military.

Notably, Türkiye is also set to donate a naval vessel to the Maldives with missile capabilities, TCG Volkan (P-343), a Dogan-class fast attack craft. 

The donation is part of a broader Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Türkiye and the Maldives, which is aimed at enhancing Maldives’ defense capabilities through material support and training.

Speaking during a record 14-hour long press conference last Saturday, President Muizzu hit back at critiques, citing his administration is not spending heavily on procuring tankers and other military resources to prepare for a war, but that this spending is something that became “necessary” because of lack of efforts to boost military capabilities over the lack two decades.