Special Forces (Maldives)

The Special Forces (SF) branch of the Maldives National Defence Force is the elite Special Forces unit which is capable of planning and conducting a broad range of special operations.[1]

MNDF Special Forces
Special Forces of the Maldives National Defence Force
Founded2008
CountryMaldives Maldives
TypeSpecial forces
Part ofMaldives National Defence Force
Motto(s)The Few The Brave
ColoursMulticam or Black
Commanders
CommanderLieutenant Colonel Ahmed Shamin
Deputy CommanderMajor Ahmed Rasheed
Insignia
Identification
symbol		Maroon beret and regimental badge

History

The MNDF Special forces was inaugurated on October 27, 2009 after the realization of the requirement of the need of an extremely specialized and well trained group of elite soldiers were necessitated to combat and defend against all internal and external threats to national security and implement the national interests of the Government of Maldives within and abroad the territory of Maldives.[1] The SF unit is equipped with the latest and the most modern military technology and trained consistently as a significant amount of money is invested in keeping this lethal unit most effective while performing their functions.

Operation Dolphin

"Operation Dolphin" was the first major operation carried out by the Special Forces since it was founded. A combat team travelled to Gan. The primary task of the operation was to handle the security of all VIPs who would attend the 17th SAARC summit in Addu and also to carry out counter-terrorism operations.[2]

In order to prepare for this operation, the Special Forces carried out joint training programmes in the Maldives and abroad with US Army Special Forces.[2]

The SF received worldwide praise for the outstanding level of security provided for the foreign dignitaries attending the conferences and for averting all security threats which were plotted against the smooth running of the summit.

Selection and training

The Special Force have a wide variety of unique special operations skills, attained through a high level of training. All the SF operatives are carefully handpicked from other branches of Maldives National Defence Force through a series of excruciating and vigorous qualification process. The SF undergoes an intense yearlong calendar cycle of scrupulous special forces training which demands stringent physical agility, psychological well-being, intelligence and exemplary military discipline.[1] They also take pride in frequent cross training with foreign elite forces such as the US Army Special Forces, the US Navy Seals, the Special Service Group of Pakistan, the British SAS, the Para sf of Indian army and, the Army Commandos of Sri Lanka.[1] All SF operatives are mandated to master High-altitude military parachuting, demolition, endurance training, para training and advanced weapons skills. SF also specializes on marksmanship, slithering, diving and other special ops tactical skills. On the whole, a profound emphasis is placed on physical fitness and skill training so that the each member will be able to withstand the rigors of real time tactical operations.[1]

Very little is known of the exact process and components of the strenuous year long training which takes part in different military bases in Maldives for the SF. The training of the SF remains top secret and almost all the processes involved in SF training remains confidential.


Firearms

See also

References
  1. "Special forces". MNDF. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012.
  2. Adhshan, Ahmed (October 23, 2011). "Special Force team arrives in Addu for SAARC Summit". Haveeru. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
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