The Maldivian Constitution says: The primary object of the Military Service is to defend and protect the Republic, its territorial integrity, its Exclusive Economic Zone and the people.

[10]In 1932, Muhammad Fareed Didi established the Maldives - Ministry of Defence during his first imperial rule.

The origin of the current security force can be traced from the initiatives of Sultan Ibrahim Nooraddeen Iskandhar who reigned from 1888 to 1892.

The group of men thereafter began to accompany the Sultan on his ceremonial processions.

Maldives Customs Service (MSC) was established as a separate legal entity independent of the civil service under the Maldives Customs Act, which was confirmed on 11 May 2011.