Special Forces (Maldives)
Encyclopedia
The Special Forces Team is the elite Special Forces
and Airborne
unit of the Maldives National Defence Force
capable of planning and conducting a broad range of special operations across the operational continuum. They are specialized in carrying unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, counter insurgency, hostage rescues operations. Special forces was recently inaugurated by president and Commander-in-chief Mohamed Nasheed
during a special ceremony held on October 27, 2009.
are popular for their specialization in a wide variety of unique special operations skills, attained through a high level of training. The SF undergoes an intense yearlong calendar cycle of scrupulous special forces training which demands stringent physical agility, psychological wellbeing and intelligence. They also take pride in frequent cross training with foreign élite forces such as the US Army Special Forces, the US Navy Seals, the British SAS, the National Security Guards
of India and the Army Commandos
of Sri Lanka. The Soldiers are generally qualified in Parachuting
and 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.
Recruitment of the First batch
in Addu and also to carry out counter-terrorism operations.
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.
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
and Airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
unit of the Maldives National Defence Force
Maldives National Defence Force
The Maldives National Defence Force is the combined security organisation responsible for defending the security and sovereignty of the Maldives, having the primary task of being responsible for attending to all internal and external security needs of the Maldives, including the protection of the...
capable of planning and conducting a broad range of special operations across the operational continuum. They are specialized in carrying unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, counter insurgency, hostage rescues operations. Special forces was recently inaugurated by president and Commander-in-chief Mohamed Nasheed
Mohamed Nasheed
Mohamed Nasheed is a Maldivian politician. He is the current President of the Maldives. He is the founder of the Maldivian Democratic Party and was its presidential candidate in the October 2008 presidential election, defeating long-time President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in a second round of voting...
during a special ceremony held on October 27, 2009.
Selection and Training
Special Forces of the MNDFMaldives National Defence Force
The Maldives National Defence Force is the combined security organisation responsible for defending the security and sovereignty of the Maldives, having the primary task of being responsible for attending to all internal and external security needs of the Maldives, including the protection of the...
are popular for their specialization in a wide variety of unique special operations skills, attained through a high level of training. The SF undergoes an intense yearlong calendar cycle of scrupulous special forces training which demands stringent physical agility, psychological wellbeing and intelligence. They also take pride in frequent cross training with foreign élite forces such as the US Army Special Forces, the US Navy Seals, the British SAS, the National Security Guards
National Security Guards
The National Security Guard is a Special Response Unit in India that has primarily been utilized for counter-terrorism activities and was created by the Cabinet Secretariat under the National Security Guard Act of the Indian Parliament in 1986...
of India and the Army Commandos
Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment
The Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment is an elite special operations unit which is a Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. Within one of the four Army Commando Regiments there is a 140-man counter-terrorist unit that provides the primary Counter-terrorism response for Sri Lanka...
of Sri Lanka. The Soldiers are generally qualified in Parachuting
Parachuting
Parachuting, also known as skydiving, is the action of exiting an aircraft and returning to earth with the aid of a parachute. It may or may not involve a certain amount of free-fall, a time during which the parachute has not been deployed and the body gradually accelerates to terminal...
and 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.
Recruitment of the First batch
- 1 - Volunteers from 18th Special Task Forces Team was selected to the trainings.
- 2 - Soldiers completed their first anti-terrorism tactics from Girifushi training center in MaldivesMaldivesThe Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
. - 3 - 20 best soldiers was selected from Girifushi training centre to the advanced trainings which was divided into 6 different tasks completed in L.KahdhooLaamu AtollHaddhunmathi Atoll or Laamu Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives. It corresponds to the natural atoll of the same name. The administrative capital is located in Fonadhoo Island....
& Gdh.KadehdhooGaafu Dhaalu AtollSouthern Huvadhu Atoll or Gaafu Dhaalu is an administrative district of the Maldives formed by the southwestern section of Huvadhu Atoll. It was created on February 8, 1962 when Huvadhu Atoll was divided into two districts...
islands. Soldiers were trained in Maldives by instructors from various countries. - 4 - Some weapons and tactics courses were completed in Sri LankaSri LankaSri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. - 5 - 24 officers completed anti-hijacking, hostage rescue, helicopter rappelling, land navigation and parachuteParachuteA parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...
courses in Sri LankaSri LankaSri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the... - 6 - Special forces team were trained from CommandoCommandoIn English, the term commando means a specific kind of individual soldier or military unit. In contemporary usage, commando usually means elite light infantry and/or special operations forces units, specializing in amphibious landings, parachuting, rappelling and similar techniques, to conduct and...
regiment school and Special ForcesSpecial forcesSpecial forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
training academy in Maduru Oya, Sri LankaSri LankaSri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. - 7 - They also complete their advanced modern mortarMortar (weapon)A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
and combat armed training 8 month course in Special forcesSpecial forcesSpecial forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
academy in Maduru Oya, Sri LankaSri LankaSri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
.
Functions
- Intelligence collectionIntelligence (information gathering)Intelligence assessment is the development of forecasts of behaviour or recommended courses of action to the leadership of an organization, based on a wide range of available information sources both overt and covert. Assessments are developed in response to requirements declared by the leadership...
, Special reconnaissanceSpecial reconnaissanceSpecial reconnaissance is conducted by small units of highly trained military personnel, usually from special forces units or military intelligence organisations, who operate behind enemy lines, avoiding direct combat and detection by the enemy. As a role, SR is distinct from commando operations,... - Subversion and sabotageSabotageSabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is...
of vital enemy infrastructure and communications through deep penetration and surgical strikes behind enemy lines. - Counter Terrorism (CT)
- Hostage rescue operations.
- National intervention operations
Operation Dolphin
"Operation Dolphin" was the first major operation carried out by the Special Forces since it was founded. The élite combat team of the special forces travelled to Gan in an Indian Air Force aircraft. The primary task of the operation was to handle the security of all VVIPs who would attend the 17th SAARC summit17th SAARC summit
The 17th SAARC summit will be held on November 10 and 11, 2011 in the South Province of Maldives . The theme of the summit is “Building Bridges”....
in Addu and also to carry out counter-terrorism operations.
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.