The Maldives is poised to significantly bolster its maritime defence capabilities with the upcoming transfer of a high-speed naval vessel from Türkiye. The TCG Volkan (P-343), a Dogan-class fast attack craft formerly operated by the Turkish Navy, is being donated to the Maldives under a bilateral defence cooperation initiative between the two nations.
Originally commissioned in 1981, the TCG Volkan represents a key element of Türkiye’s naval modernization history. Designed by the renowned German shipbuilder Lürssen Werft, the Dogan-class vessels were the first in the Turkish Navy to be equipped with Harpoon anti-ship missiles, marking a leap forward in their maritime strike capabilities.
The transfer is part of a broader Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Maldives and Türkiye, aimed at enhancing the Maldives’ naval capacity through material support and comprehensive training. As part of this agreement, another vessel of the same class—TCG Tayfun, currently serving as a test and training platform in Türkiye—is also expected to be handed over in the future.
Measuring 58.1 metres in length and displacing 436 tonnes at full load, the TCG Volkan is built for speed and agility, with four MTU diesel engines delivering a combined 12,000 horsepower. It is capable of reaching speeds up to 38 knots (approximately 70 km/h) and has a range of over 1,900 kilometres. The vessel can accommodate a crew of 45 and is equipped with an array of advanced weaponry, including a 76mm Oto Melara naval gun, Harpoon missiles, air defence systems, and radar-guided decoy launchers.
Turkish defence officials, quoted by Anadolu Agency, stated that the transfer underscores the strengthening strategic partnership between the two countries, particularly in the area of maritime security. In preparation for the handover, the TCG Volkan has undergone full-scale maintenance and refurbishment at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command to ensure it is mission-ready upon arrival.
The vessel is expected to be transported to the Maldives aboard a dock landing ship between April and June 2025, with the official commissioning ceremony scheduled for July. A delegation from the Turkish Navy will oversee the final transfer and commissioning process.
Meanwhile, training for Maldivian personnel began in Türkiye on April 7 and is expected to conclude on May 9. Following this, a Turkish naval team will conduct a two-week advanced operational training program aboard the vessel in Maldivian waters, equipping the local crew with the skills needed to operate and maintain the craft independently.
The arrival of the TCG Volkan marks a significant milestone in the Maldives’ efforts to modernize its naval defence framework, especially in light of increasing regional maritime challenges and the strategic importance of safeguarding the nation’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone.
