In a significant step towards strengthening defense cooperation, Türkiye will donate the TCG Volkan (P-343), a Dogan-class fast attack craft, to the Maldives under a new bilateral agreement.
The initiative is part of a broader Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two nations, focusing on bolstering the Maldives’ maritime defense capabilities through equipment transfer and professional training, according to Turkish Ministry of Defense sources cited by Anadolu Agency.
Delivery by Mid-2025
The TCG Volkan is currently undergoing final maintenance at Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command. It is scheduled to be transported via a dock landing ship between April and June 2025 and is expected to be fully transferred and activated in the Maldives by July. A Turkish Navy team will oversee the handover and activation process.
Training for Maldivian naval personnel began in Türkiye on April 7 and will conclude on May 9. Post-deployment, Turkish instructors will conduct two weeks of onboard training in the Maldives.
About TCG Volkan and the Dogan-Class
Commissioned into the Turkish Navy in 1981, TCG Volkan was reclassified in 2024 as a test and training vessel. Built by German shipbuilder Lürssen Werft, the Dogan-class was Türkiye’s first to feature Harpoon anti-ship missile systems, marking a pivotal advancement in its naval arsenal.
Key specifications of TCG Volkan include:
- Length: 58.1 meters
- Speed: Up to 38 knots
- Range: 1,050 nautical miles
- Crew: 45 personnel
- Armament: Harpoon missiles, 76mm naval gun, 35mm air defense gun, machine guns
The vessel’s modern combat systems and training support are expected to significantly enhance the Maldives’ maritime patrol and defense operations in the Indian Ocean region.
