| Armed Forces of Malta Forzi Armati ta' Malta |
|
|---|---|
| Founded | 19 April 1973 |
| Service branches | Headquarters 1st Regiment Maritime Squadron Air Wing 3rd Regiment 4th Regiment |
| Headquarters | Luqa Barracks |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | George Abela |
| Prime Minister | Lawrence Gonzi |
| Chief of staff | Brigadier Carmel Vassallo |
| Manpower | |
| Military age | 18 years of age |
| Conscription | voluntary |
| Available for military service |
males age 15-49: 99,107 (2002 est.), age 15–49 |
| Fit for military service |
males age 15-49: 78,909 (2002 est.), age 15–49 |
| Active personnel | 2,140 (2002 est.) |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | $60 million (2000 est.) |
| Percent of GDP | 1.7% (2000) |
| Related articles | |
| History | Military history of Malta |
The Armed Forces of Malta is the name given to the combined armed services of Malta. The AFM is a brigade sized organisation consisting of a headquarters and three separate battalions.
Contents |
Organisation
Headquarters, AFM
HQ AFM is the main command centre for the Armed Forces of Malta, and is divided into four main areas.
- Operations & Training Branch
- Administration & Personnel Branch
- Logistics Branch
- European Union Security Defence Policy Branch
- Public Information Cell
- Intelligence Cell
- Legal Office
- Audit & inspectorate Branch
1st Regiment, AFM
1st Regiment is Malta's infantry unit, and has primary responsibility for the territorial defence of the country. It is divided into three rifle companies, a support company and a headquarters company.
- A Company - is an airport security rifle company, and is based at Malta International Airport.
- B Company - is an internal security rifle company, tasked with guarding high-profile/sensitive government establishments, and is based at Hal-Far.
- C (Special Duties) Company - is the AFM's Quick Reaction Force, for high-risk operations both internally and as part of the European Union. It also serves as an infantry training unit for the AFM and is based at Hal-Far.
- Air Defence & Support Company - provides Malta's primary air defence capability, armed with the Bofors 40mm L70 and ZPU-4 14.5mm AAMG as well as 81mm mortars, Type 69 RPG's and Browning .50 HMGs for ground support.
- HQ Company - exercises command and control over the other sub-units.
- Battle Honour
- Egypt 1882
Air Wing, AFM
has responsibility for the security of Maltese airspace, maritime patrol, Search and Rescue, and provision of military assistance to other Government departments. The current air assets include:
Maritime Squadron
The maritime squadron has a wide range of duties, including coast guard, customs, marine police, fisheries protection and search and rescue. Current maritime assets:
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Britten-Norman BN-2B-26 Islander |  United Kingdom |
fixed-wing aircraft | BN-2B-26 | 2 | |
| Scottish Aviation Bulldog T1 | United Kingdom |
series 120 fixed-wing aircraft | Series 120 | 4 | ex-RAF |
| Aérospatiale SA 316B Alouette III |  France |
helicopters | SA316B | 3 | ex-Libyan Air Force |
| Agusta-Bell Helicopter AB 212 |  Italy |
helicopter | AB-212 | 2 | helicopters operated with mixed crews on SAR duties by an Italian Technical Assistance Mission. |
| In Service | Class | Fleet # | Builder/Origins [1] | Year entered service | Notes |
| 1 | "Modified" Diciotti class Offshore patrol vessel | (P 61) | Fincantieri S.p.a. at Muggiano Shipyard Italy |
2005 | based on Corps of the Port Captaincies - Coast Guard vessesls |
| 2 | Protector Class Coastal Patrol Boat | (P 51, P 52) | Bollinger Shipyards Incorporated,  United States |
2002 | based on Damen Stan 2600 |
| 2 | Bremse Class Inshore Patrol Boat (Bremse Type KB123) | (P 32, P 33) |  Germany |
1992 | built for ex-East German Navy 1971-1972[2] |
| 2 | Swift Class Inshore Patrol Boat | (P 23, P 24) | Sewart Seacraft Limited United States |
1971 | ex-US Coast Guard built in 1967 USA C6823 and USA C6824[2] |
| 2 | (CP800 Vittoria Melita Class Search and Rescue Launch | (Melita I, Melita II) | Cantiere Navale Vittoria, Adria Italy |
1998 | |
| 1 | Fast-Interceptor Craft RIB | (P 01) | FB Design Srl Italy |
2006 | acquired in 2003 |
| 4 ( 2 delivered) | Fast Patrol Boats RIB | P 21 | Austal, Perth  Australia[3] |
2009 | ordered in Feb 2009. Two vessels were launched on October 6 2009.[2] The four vessels are expected to be delivered in late October 2009. |
The European commission has voted 110 million euros in funds for the AFM. The government has already made plans to purchase 4 new patrol vessels which will upgrade and strengthen the maritime squadron.
Ex-AFM Ships
A list of vessels since retired by the AFM [4]:
Rapid Deployment Team (R.D.T)
The Rapid Deployment Team is the unit tasked to perform M.L.E. (Maritime Law Enforcement) operations and counter terrorism interventions at sea. Its members operate the Fast-Interceptor Craft P 01.
3rd Regiment, AFM
3 Regiment is the AFM's main support unit, and consists of three operational sections.
- Engineer Squadron - this provides the engineering support.
- Ammunition and Explosives Company - this has responsibility for all of the AFM's ammunition needs, and also includes an Explosive Ordnance Disposal section.
- Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Squadron - this provides engineering support for vehicles and equipment.
4th Regiment, AFM
Established with the AFM review of Oct 30th, 2006, it includes:
- The AFM Band
- Revenue Security Corps
- HQ Company
- C3I Company
Emergency Volunteer Reserve Force
In addition to the regular forces, there is also the Emergency Volunteer Reserve Force, which consists of part-time volunteers to support the regulars at C (SD) Company, 1 Regiment AFM.
Brief history
The AFM was formed upon Malta becoming a republic in 1974, when 1 Regiment Royal Malta Artillery was renamed as 1 Regiment, AFM. This initially continued the artillery role, with 2 Regiment formed as an engineers unit. In 1980, 1 Regiment became a mixed unit, with infantry, aircraft and maritime responsibilities, the artillery element being transferred to 2 Regiment. In 1992, there was a major re-organisation, which led to the formation of 3 Regiment and the current structure.
The AFM wears a single cap badge, based on that of the Royal Malta Artillery, which consists of a gun, similar to that worn by the Royal Artillery but without the crown, on top of a Maltese Cross, with the motto "Tutela Bellicæ Virtutis" underneath.
King's Own Malta Regiment
The King's Own Malta Regiment was a territorial infantry regiment on the British Army colonial list prior to Malta's independence. It was formed in 1801 as the "Regiment of Maltese Militia", existing only until the following year. It was reformed as the "Maltese Militia" by Sir Adrian Dingli in 1852 before disbanding again in 1857. It was raised again, this time as the "Royal Malta Regiment of Militia" in 1889; this regiment was considered to be the successor to the "Maltese Chasseurs" of the early 19th century. The regiment was renamed the "King's Own Royal Malta Regiment of Militia" in 1903, and was disbanded in 1921. The regiment was raised for a fourth time in 1931 as the "King's Own Malta Regiment". Initially on the British Establishment, in 1951 it was transferred to the Malta Territorial Force before becoming part of the Malta Land Force on Malta's independence in 1970. The regiment was disbanded in 1972.
- 1st Battalion, KOMR [1897-1921, 1931-1946, 1952-1972]
- 2nd Battalion, KOMR [1897-1921, 1940-1946, 1952-1972]
- 3rd Battalion, KOMR [1940-1945]
- 10th Battalion, KOMR [Territorial] [1942-1943]
- Battle Honours
- 1800 [awarded for services of the Maltese Chasseurs]
- Second World War: Malta 1940-42
Equipment
| Fleet # | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| P25, P26 | patrol ships | |
| C26 | patrol craft | |
| P28 | ||
| P29, P30, P31 | patrol boats | ex East German Kondor I Class 1968-1969 |
| P34, P35 | ||
| P36, P37 | ||
| P38, P39 | ||
| LCVP Mk7 | landing craft | ex-USN |
| Make | Origin | Type |
| Bofors 40 mm gun |  Sweden |
anti-aircraft autocannon |
| ZPU-4 14.5mm HMAAG |  Soviet Union |
Anti-aircraft gun |
| 81mm mortar | United Kingdom or United States |
mortar |
Light equipment
| Make | Origin | Type |
|---|---|---|
| RPG-7V | Soviet Union |
rocket propelled grenade launcher |
| Browning M2 .50 HMG | United States |
machine gun |
References
- ^ Maritime Squadron, Armed Forces of Malta
- ^ a b c "New AFM patrol boats launched". Times of Malta. 2009-10-06. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091006/local/new-afm-patrol-boats-launched. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
- ^ "Visit to Australia by Republic of Malta Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs The Hon Dr Tonio Borg". Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs. http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s023_09.html. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
- ^ Maltese Navy
External links
- Armed Forces of Malta
- For Gallantry Special forces and counterterrorism units of the AFM
- [1]
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