The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) held a special military display this evening at Republic Square to commemorate Maldives Victory Day.
The event, titled “Military Display 2026,” was organised by the MNDF and attended by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed.
The ceremony was also attended by Minister of Defence and National Service Hassan Rasheed, several Cabinet ministers, members of Parliament, Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, Vice Chief of Defence Force Brigadier General Ahmed Ghiyaas, as well as senior military officers and personnel.
The military display was based on a simulated counter-terrorism operation in which a foreign terrorist group, working in collaboration with an organised criminal group in the Maldives, infiltrated the country by sea and attempted to threaten national security.
The demonstration began with a powerful counter-terrorism operation conducted by the MNDF Joint Task Force. As part of the operation, the MNDF Air Corps deployed a TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, demonstrating how enemy movements, including a “mother ship” and accompanying vessels, could be detected and tracked from the air.
This was followed by a maritime hostage rescue operation involving MNDF Coast Guard Ship Imaduddin and the Coast Guard’s elite Special Boat Squadron (SBS). With support from drone surveillance, Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPVs) and precision marksmen, the forces demonstrated how to board a hijacked vessel and rescue hostages.
The demonstration also featured the Coast Guard’s Surface Action Group, comprising MNDF Coast Guard Ship Dharumavantha and Fast Interceptor Craft. The group demonstrated an assault to disable the enemy’s mother vessel.
Meanwhile, the MNDF Marine Corps’ elite Special Operations Group carried out a high-risk snatch operation by land and sea to apprehend the leader of the terrorist group, identified as a high-value target.
In the final phase of the operation, MNDF Special Forces demonstrated a Close Quarters Battle (CQB) assault against terrorists holding civilians hostage inside a high-rise building. The operation involved rappelling and explosive breaching techniques to rescue the hostages.
Mechanised infantry units, supported by armoured vehicles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), also demonstrated how enemy reinforcement attempts could be effectively neutralised.
The military display concluded with a special performance by the MNDF Military Band.
The demonstration highlighted the readiness and operational capabilities of the Maldives National Defence Force in safeguarding Islam, the country’s independence, sovereignty and national security, while protecting the lives and property of its people.
A large number of members of the public, including children, gathered at Republic Square to watch the military display.
