The Australian Department of Defence will donate its locally built Guardian-class patrol vessel to the Maldives, strengthening mutual security cooperation between the countries.
Canberra said that the decision to send the proven capability to its South Asian ally is a “significant step” to protect the latter’s sovereign territories and deepen its contribution to broader regional defense across the Indian Ocean.
Once commissioned, Malé’s new platform will primarily sail to “deter, detect and disrupt” illegal activities throughout the country’s exclusive economic zone.
The vessel will be delivered with a sustainment package to support the boat’s operability, as well as a hydrographic multi-beam echo sounder to assist the Maldives in mapping its ocean floor for “maritime safety and economic development.”
Construction of the Guardian system has already begun with a target completion date of 2026. It will be commissioned in April of the same year.
“In line with our National Defence Strategy, Australia is working with partners across the Northeast Indian Ocean to maintain regional security and stability,” Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles commented on the project.
“Australia is pleased to gift a Guardian-class Patrol Boat to Maldives and will continue to seek opportunities to deepen our long-standing defence partnership. As Indian Ocean countries, Australia and Maldives share a vision of our region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.”
The Guardian-Class System
Built by Australian shipyard Austal, the Guardian patrol boat is modeled after the Royal Australian Navy’s older Bay, Armidale, and Cape-class vessels, which are all designed for coastal and offshore missions.
A Guardian system measures 40 meters (131 feet) in length, has a beam of 8 meters (26 feet), and the capacity for up to 20 people.
It is commonly armed with a 20-millimeter remote weapon system and 12.7-millimeter machine guns, and is fitted with two diesel engines with about 2,100 horsepower each.
The boat has a maximum speed of 37 kilometers (23 miles) per hour and a range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 kilometers/4,028 miles).
The Guardian vessel is employed in 13 countries, with the Maldives to become the 14th.
