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Ministry of Defence

About Us

We are working to build a stronger and more resilient nation for you, together with the 8 institutions and agencies below.

  • Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF): mndf.gov.mv
  • National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC): nctc.gov.mv
  • Aviation Security Command (AVSECOM): avsecom.gov.mv
  • National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): ndmc.gov.mv
  • Maldives Immigration: immigration.gov.mv
  • Maldives Customs Service: customs.gov.mv
  • Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Anti-TIP) Office
  • Maldives Hydrographic Service

In addition to the institutions and agencies above, the Minister of Defence oversees the Directorate of Aviation Security Administration (DASA) - the designated appropriate authority for civil aviation security in the Republic of Maldives by the Presidential Decree (116) on 7 February 2016 to perform regulatory and oversight functions in addition to implementing preventative aviation security measures. See below [Mandate] for more information on DASA's roles and responsibilities. For the latest updates on DASA's activities, see @dasamaldives on Twitter.

Vision

  • to protect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Maldives.
  • to safeguard and uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives.
  • to uphold the legally elected government of the Republic of Maldives.
  • to protect all citizens of the Republic of Maldives

Mission

  • to protect and uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives.
  • to uphold the legally elected government of the Republic of Maldives.
  • to enforce and execute policies concerning national security
  • to defend and protect the Republic of Maldives, its territorial integrity and its Exclusive Economic Zone and its people.
  • To guard and protect the nation’s people and borders from all illegal activities by land, air and sea, and to provide emergency relief and ensure disaster preparedness and mitigation, through oversight of the functions of Maldives National Defence Force, Aviation Security Command, Maldives Customs Service, Maldives Immigration, National Disaster Management Authority, National Counter Terrorism Center, Anti-TIP Office and Maldives Hydrographic Service.

Mandate

The Directorate of Aviation Security Administration (DASA) is designated to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as the Appropriate Authority for aviation security in the Maldives since 26 April 2016.

The roles and responsibilities of DASA are:

*Developing, implementing and maintaining the National Civil Aviation Security Programme of the Republic of Maldives.

*Defining and allocating the tasks for the implementation of the various aspects of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.

*Establishing the means of coordinating activities between different organisations in The Republic of Maldives concerned with or responsible for various aspects of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.

*Making available to airport operators, aircraft operators and ATS providers operating in the territory of The Republic of Maldives, and others concerned, a written version of the appropriate parts of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.

*Developing, implementing and maintaining a National Civil Aviation Security Quality Control Programme.

*Ensuring that aviation security services at airports are provided with the necessary supporting facilities, including office space, telecommunications equipment, appropriate security equipment and training facilities.

*Developing and revising, as necessary, broad national policies relating to civil aviation security.

*Developing comprehensive national regulations relating to civil aviation security.

*Ensuring that architectural and infrastructure-related requirements necessary for the optimum implementation of civil aviation security measures.

Maldives, being a contracting state of ICAO since 12th March 1974, is also a member of Cooperative Aviation Security Programme - Asia Pacific. DASA is responsible for coordinating and implementing aviation security aspects under ICAO Annex 17 and security provision under Annex 9, whereas Maldives Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for coordinating and implementing aspects of Aviation Safety. The Cooperative Aviation Security Programme - Asia Pacific has been established to assist Members in ensuring compliance with international conventions, ICAO SARPs and guidance materials related to aviation security by enhancing aviation security capabilities.

DASA is the focal point of contact to ICAO and other national and international organizations and entities in matters concerning aviation security in the Republic of Maldives. In addition to this, DASA has been engaged with the Department for Transport of United Kingdom (UK-DfT) and the Transport Security Administration of United States of America (USA-TSA), among others, in order to enhance aviation security in Maldives.