Armed Forces of Malta Forzi Armati ta' Malta |
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Founded | 19 April 1973 |
Service branches | Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Malta |
Headquarters | Luqa |
Leadership | |
Commander-in-Chief | George Abela |
Prime Minister | Lawrence Gonzi |
Chief of staff | Brigadier Martin G. Xuereb |
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, with minimal air and naval forces.
Contents |
HQ AFM is the main command centre for the Armed Forces of Malta, and is divided into four main areas.
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.
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:
Aircraft | Photo | Origin | Type | Versions | In service | Notes |
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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. | |
Beechcraft B200 King Air | United States | fixed-wing aircraft | B200 | 1 (1) | Fitted with Telephonics Corporation RDR-1700B Maritime Surveillance and Imaging Radar http://www.airliners.net/photo/Malta---Air/Hawker-Beechcraft-B200/1872998/L/&sid=3796abace36950110c37a9b6f314a64f[1]. One will enter service in February 2011[2]. |
The maritime squadron has a wide range of duties, including coast guard, customs, marine police, fisheries protection and search and rescue. Current maritime assets:
In Service | Class | Fleet # | Builder/Origins[3] | Year entered service | Notes |
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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 |
1 | Bremse Class Inshore Patrol Boat (Bremse Type KB123) | (P 32) | Germany | 1992 | built for ex-East German Navy 1971-1972[4] |
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[4] |
2 | (CP800 Vittoria Melita Class Search and Rescue Launch | (Melita I, Melita II) | Cantiere Navale Vittoria, Adria Italy | 1998 | |
1 | Fast-Interceptor Craft Rigid-hulled inflatable boat | (P 01) | FB Design Srl Italy | 2006 | acquired in 2003 |
4 | P21 Class Inshore Patrol Crafts | P 21, P22, P23, P24 | Austal, Perth Australia[5] | 2010 | ordered in Feb 2009. Two vessels were launched on October 6 2009.[4] The four vessels (P21, P22, P23 and P24) were delivered in February 2010. |
The European commission has voted 110 million euros in funds for the AFM. The government has purchased 4 new patrol vessels to upgrade and strengthen the maritime squadron as well as ordered a new offshore maritime surveillance aircraft.
A list of vessels since retired by the AFM[6]:
Fleet # | Type | Notes |
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P25, P26 | patrol ships | |
C26 | patrol craft | |
P28 | ||
P29, P30, P31 | patrol boats | Ex-East German Kondor I Class 1968-1969 |
P33 (Bremse Class) | ||
P34, P35 | ||
P36, P37 | ||
P38, P39 | ||
LCVP Mk7 | landing craft | Ex-USN |
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.
3 Regiment is the AFM's main support unit, and consists of three operational sections.
Established with the AFM review of Oct 30th, 2006, it includes:
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 Air Defence & Support Company (ADSC), 1 Regiment AFM.
The presence of the Italian Military Mission (IMM) in Malta has taken form in the shape of technical assistance spread over three periods of time. Firstly, between 1973 and 1979, then between 1981 and July 1988, and lastly between July 1988 to date.
IMM personnel resources in Malta total to 12 Officers and 35 NCOs from the three Service branches of the Italian Armed Forces. It is also equipped with two AB 212 helicopters, 15 heavy plant vehicles, 60 light all-purpose utility vehicles, radio telecommunications, and weapons.
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.
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.
Battle Honours
Make | Origin | Type |
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Bofors 40 mm gun | Sweden | Anti-Aircraft |
ZPU-4 14.5 mm SPAAG | Soviet Union | Anti-Aircraft Gun |
81mm mortar | United Kingdom | Mortar |
Make | Origin | Type |
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Maruti Gypsy | India | 4x4 |
M151 MUTT | United States | 4x4 |
Land Rover Wolf | United Kingdom | 4x4 |
Land Rover Defender | United Kingdom | 4x4 |
Land Rover Series | United Kingdom | 4x4 |
Range Rover | United Kingdom | 4x4 |
Mitsubishi Triton | Japan | Pickup truck |
Iveco LMV | Italy | Tactical SUV |
Iveco VM 90 | Italy | Tactical SUV |
ACM 80/90 Iveco ACM 80/90 | Italy | Large Tactical SUV |
Humber Pig | United Kingdom | Armoured personnel carrier |
of Yamaha motorcycles Yamaha Motorcycles | Japan | Motorcycle |
Moto Guzzi 1000 Convert | Italy | Motorcycle |
Renault 25 | France | Staff Car |
Jeep Wagoneer | United States | Utility vehicle |
6605 TM69 Fiat TM 69 | Italy | Multi-role 6x6 truck |
Bedford TK | United Kingdom | Truck |
Bedford TM | United Kingdom | Truck |
Bedford RL | United Kingdom | Truck |
Veicoli Industriali#Veicoli militari, speciali e da cantiere dopo il 1950 Fiat CM-52 | Italy | Truck |
Ford Cargo | United States | Truck |
M35 2½ ton cargo truck | United States | Truck |
Fiat Ducato | Italy | Van |
Make | Origin | Type |
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M81 woodland | United States | Battledress |
Desert Camouflage Uniform | United States | Battledress |
No.7: Warm weather barrack dress | United Kingdom | Barrack Dress |
58 pattern webbing | United Kingdom | Webbing |
Personal Load Carrying Equipment | United Kingdom | Webbing used by C(SD)Company |
Arktis webbing | United States | Webbing used by C(SD)Company |
SPECTRA helmet | United States | Helmet |
Sistema Compositi SEPT-2 PLUS | Italy | Helmet |
No.2: Service dress (temperate parade uniform) | United Kingdom | Parade Uniform |
No.3: Warm weather ceremonial uniform | United Kingdom | Parade Uniform |
Navy blue beret | United Kingdom | Beret |
S10 NBC Respirator | United Kingdom | Gas Mask |
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