In a highly publicized move, Turkey has committed to donating a missile frigate, TCG Volkan (P335), to the Maldives. This comes as Turkey’s recent deployment of drones in the area. The government of Turkey, led by President Erdogan, is seen making the move as part of an ongoing effort to expand its influence in the Indian Ocean.
The TCG Volkan, a Gabya-class frigate, is a significant naval force which will certainly make the Maldives’ maritime abilities stronger. The gift can also be viewed as a central feature of Turkey’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean, an area of huge geopolitical importance.
President Erdogan’s government has been busy consolidating relations with many countries in the region, and this action appears to be a deliberate attempt at enhancing Turkey’s presence in the region. The Maldives, geographically located in the Indian Ocean, offers a strategic opportunity for Turkey to extend its influence and protect its interests.
The ramifications of this development are two-pronged. On the positive side, the Maldives will gain enormously with the acquisition of the missile frigate, which will allow the country to enhance its security of territorial waters and the protection of its naval interests. On the negative side, the action will likely have sweeping implications for regional geopolitics, especially in the context of India’s role in the Indian Ocean.
With the Indian Ocean remaining an important player in global commerce and trade, nations with an interest in the area are likely to pay close attention to Turkey’s aggressive steps. The nature of this equation will be observed closely, and how this move will affect the sensitive balance of power in the area remains to be seen.