UTF Development Not Intended for Large Military Ships, MNDF Clarifies
Photo: MNDF
Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF), a development project, is not designed to accommodate large military ships, according to a statement released by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
އުތުރުތިލަފަޅުގައި އެމްއެންޑީއެފްއިން ތަރައްޤީ ކުރަމުންދާ 300 މީޓަރުގެ މަގަތު ފާލަމާއި، 500 ޓަނުން ދަށުގެ އުޅަނދުފަހަރު މަރާމާތުކުރެވޭ ސްލިޕްވޭއާއި ރިޕެއަރ ފެސިލިޓީއާ ބެހޭhttps://t.co/6HCwWO2BBO pic.twitter.com/FYpGCDoCb5
— Maldives National Defence Force (@MNDF_Official) September 24, 2023advertisement
The MNDF’s clarification comes in response to recent media reports suggesting that the port and dockyard under construction in UTF could potentially host large military vessels. During a recent media visit to assess the progress of the project, the MNDF emphasised that the development plans for UTF were specifically tailored for smaller vessels.
The project, as outlined in the drawings, includes the construction of a 300-metre road bridge, a slipway, and a repair facility designed to service vessels with a maximum weight of 500 tonnes. This new infrastructure is intended to replace the existing 270-metre area in Hulhumale’.
The MNDF has underlined that the facilities being built in UTF are exclusively intended for use by the MNDF Coast Guard. Consequently, the repair and maintenance of vessels larger than 500 tonnes, commonly employed by military navies, will not be feasible in this facility.
Highlighting the significance of the project, the MNDF stated, “This project is of great importance for enhancing the operational capacity of the MNDF Coast Guard, addressing the current absence of a suitable port for larger vessels within their fleet.”
It is worth noting that the development of Uthuru Thila Falhu is being funded by the Government of India. The MNDF also expressed concern about the circulation of false and misleading stories in the media regarding the nature and purpose of the military port project.
