Aviation & Ships Spotting in Malta

The objectives of the AFM are to maintain a military organisation with the primary aim of defending the Islands' integrity according to the defence roles as set by Government in an efficient and cost effective manner.  This it does by emphasizing on the maintenance of Malta's territorial waters and airspace integrity.

The AFM is also devoted to combating terrorism, fighting against illicit drug trafficking, conducting anti-illegal immigrant and anti-illegal fishing operations, operating search and rescue (SAR) services, and physical/electronic security/surveillance of sensitive locations.

As a military organisation, the AFM also provides backup support to the Malta Police Force and other Government Departments/Agencies in situations as required in an organised, disciplined manner in the event of national emergencies or internal security and bomb disposal.

On another level, the AFM establishes and/or consolidates bilateral co-operation with other countries to reach higher operational effectiveness related to AFM roles.

The AFM performs two Defence Roles:-

• Primary Defence Roles: 
  • To maintain territorial integrity (particularly at the Malta International Airport and other sensitive locations).
  • To maintain integrity of Maltese waters (physical and electronic surveillance against smuggling, illegal trafficking of immigrants and law-breaking at seas).
  • To provide for limited surveillance of the Maltese airspace.
  • To contribute towards international peace and stability by participating in the European's Rapid Reaction Force.

• Secondary Defence Roles & Supporting Task: 
  • To provide military assistance to government departments and the civil community.
  • To provide civil emergency protection support (explosives, marine pollution, floods and other disasters).
  • To provide military aid to the Police and the security services (internal security, anti-narcotics patrols and vehicle ckeck-points).
  • To provide state ceremonial and other public ditires.

Today, the Armed Forces of Malta is a brigade sized organisation, consisting of a Headquarters, three Regiments (1, 3 & 4), two independent units - the Air Wing and the Maritime Squadron - and the Emergency Volunteer Reserve Force.

• Headquarters, AFM is the main command for the Armed Forces of Malta, based at Luqa Barracks, and is divided into a number of branches/sections:

• Operations & Training Branch 
  • Maritime, air & air defence artillery ops
  • Intelligence & planning
  • Infantry operations & training

• Administration & Personnel Branch 
  • Legal Office
  • Recruitment, establishment & promotions
  • Pay, records, ceremonial & military-assistance to the civil community

• Logistic Branch 

• European Union Security Defence Policy (ESDP) Branch - operates in close liaison with the EU Representive at Malta's Permanent Mission to the European Union in Brussels 

• Internal Audit & Investigation Branch - exerts controls and checks on the AFM's funds and asset management

• Public Information Section   

• 1 Regiment, AFM is the AFM's sole infantry unit, and has primary responsibility for the territorial defence of the country.  It contributes to the maintenance of Malta's territorial integrity by deploying infantry soldiers to maintain security of the airfield, providing physical security and protection at sensitive locations.  The regiment also gives military assistance to other Government Departments and the Malta Police Force in anti-narcotic patrols, internal security and civil emergency protection.  The 1 Regiment, based at Lyster Barracks (Hal Far), consists of a Headquarters company, three Rifles companies and an Air Defence and Support company. 

• HQ Company exercise command and control over the other sub-units of the 1 Regiment AFM.

• 'A' Company is an airport security rifle company, located at Malta International Airport, with the mission of combining measures, both human and material, to safeguard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference.

• 'B' Company is an internal security rifle company, located at Lyster Barracks (Hal Far), with the mission of providing internal security services of sensitive or vulnerable Government or Parastatal establishments.

• 'C' (Special Duties) Company, based at Lyster Barrack (Hal Far), is the AFM's Quick Reaction Force, for high-risk operations both internally and as part of the European Union.  It is also the main infantry training unit for the AFM, and it also responsible for the administration and training of the EVRF.

• Air Defence and Support Company has two-fold responsibility: it provides Malta's primary air defence capability, armed with with the Bofors L40/70 40mm anti-aircraft gun and the ZPU-4 14.5mm anti-aircraft heavy machine-gun; and it provides ground support to the battalion's manoeuvre companies, armed with 81mm mortars, Type 69 RPG's and Browning 0.50 cal HMGs.  

• 3 Regiment, AFM is the AFM's main logistic unit and contributes to the maintenance of Malta's territorial integrity by deploying well-trained and motivated soldiers to provide adequate logistic back-up and support to the other units.  This logistic support consists of a Headquarters Company and three operational sub-units.

• HQ Company, based within Safi Barracks, is organised into a number of sections, performing specified and distinct tasks catering for both regimental and AFM needs.

• The Engineer Squadron is a highly versatile and flexible squadron, having a high proportion of skilled tradesmen and heavy plant machinery.  Engineers withing the squadron are capable of performing major tasks related to maintenance and construction, including field engineering task. The Engineers Squadron consists of Squadron HQ and four Troops (Electrical & Mechanical, Construction, Plant and Field).

• The Ammo and Explosives Company is responsibile for the storage and handling of all military ammunition and commercial explosives.  It includes a Company HQ; an Ammunition Depot, situated at Fort Mosta, responsible for the storage and control of all type ammunition held by the AFM as well as for the storage and control of blasting material used by civilian contractors; and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) section, situated at Manoel Island, responsible for safely deactivating unexploded ordnance, Improvised Explosive Devices and investigating suspicious items at the request of the Police. 

• The Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME) Squadron, housed within Safi Barracks, deals mainly with vehicle repairs, overhauling engines and services.  The EME Squadron recruits a wide range of tradesmen and these are grouped in three principle classes: artisans, clerks/store men and general duties men.

• 4 Regiment, AFM, established on October 30, 2006, is the descendant of the former Camp Commandant. Base at Luqa Barracks, it is primarily reponsible for all administrative matters of personnel belonging to those sections which directly support Headquarters AFM including finances, medical, records, staff quatermaster and the operating centre.

• HQ Company - exercise command and control over the other sub-units of the regiment.

• Search & Resue Training Centre

• Command, Control, Communications and Information (C3I) Company
  • Coast Radio Station
  • Coastal Vessels Traffice Station Services

• Catery Company - all staff canteen personnel across the AFM's units. 

• AFM Band establised over a century ago as the Royal Malta Artillery Band.  Apart from its musical commitments the band has its military role too.  Daily guard duties are performed by band personnel in different rosters.  The and helps in internal security during various security measures called by the regiment.  The band also takes part in fitness tests and physical test.  The AFM Band includes also the Corps of Drums (perfoms various drum calls during the band displays - precision timings and drill are given utmost attention)  and the Trumpeters (performs during wreath laying ceremonies, states visits, quarters and funeral ceremonies).

• Revenue Security Corps
  • Bank Security
  • Cash Escort Team
  • Revenue Security
  • Investigation Section
  • VAT inspectorare Section

• Other sections
  • Records office
  • Medical centre
  • Maintenance section
  • Motor transport
  • Finance office

• Air Wing, AFM has responsibility for the maintenance and integrity of the Malta's territorial waters and air space through surveillance from the air against narcotics and illegal trafficking, and the prevention of illegal fishing; the provision of military search & rescue services; and the provision of military assistance to other Governmental departments.  Air Wing, AFM, located at the Malta International Airport (Apron-7), is currently equipped with both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, consisting of two BN-2B Islanders, four (ex-RAF) Bulldog T.1s and three SA.316B Alouette helicopters.  [Read more]

• Maritime Squadron, AFM has responsibility for safeguarding Malta's territorial integrity from the sea.  It carries out a wide range of duties, including coast guard, customs, marine police, fisheries protection and search & rescue.  The Maritime Squadron, based at Hay Wharf, Floriana, is currently equipped with one offshore-patrol vessel (P 61), two coastal-patrol boats (P 51 & P 52), four inshore-patrol boats (P 23, P 24, P 32 & P 33), two search & rescue launches (Melita I & II) and a fast-interceptor craft (P 01).  [Read more]

• The Emergency Volunteer Reserve Force (EVRF) consists of volunteers, both males and females, who are willing to train as part-time soldiers and deploy when called for duty.  These volunteers are put through all the basic training regular AFM soldiers go through, including skill at arms, radio communications, first aid, physical fitness, land navigation and map reading, fire control orders, field craft and foot and arms drill.  The EVRF is intended to provide a back-up for regular AFM soldiers when the need arises.  The EVRF soldiers are expected to perform the following duties:- civil emergency duties, key point security duties, tactical patrolling and surveillance, and manning of light anti-aircraft gun.  The EVRF is administered and trained by 'C(SD)' Company, 1 Regiment, at Lyster Barracks, Hal Far.  They are divided into infantry platoons, led by regular Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers.

* as wear by Maritime Squadron personnel.

• OTHERS

The "present" Colours of the Armed Forces of Malta were presented to AFM by the then Acting President of Malta Paul Xuereb on June 23, 1988, shortly after the amalgamation of the AFM and Malta Task Force.  These Colours consists of:

• The National Colour: consists of the Maltese Flag with the De Redin Tower superimposed at the centre.  On its base are scrolled the words Forzi Amati (Armed Forces).

• The Regimental Colour: bears witness to the roots of the AFM, that is the Royal Malta Artilley (RMA), and it consists of the RMA badge (without the Royal Crown) complete with the regiment's motto Tutela Bellicae Virtutis (Custodians of Military Prowess) stand emblazoned in the centre over the traditional RMA colours of red and blue.  Three battle honours - MDCCC, Egypt 1882 and Malta 1942 - embellishes the Colour.  The grenade of seven flames with the scroll 'Malta' is placed at the four corners of the Colour.

• MDCCC - honours the Malta Light Infantry for the siege of Valletta in 1800.

• Egypt 1882 - honours the Malta Fencible Artillery Regiment for the high level of efficiency throughout the expedition in Egypt.

• Malta 1942 - honours the King's Own Malta Regiment for their part in the defence of the island during World War II.

• Chronology of all Malta Land Force/Armed Forces of Malta Commanders

The Armed Forces of Malta find their civilian counterpart in the Defence Matters Directorate, set up in May 2003 as part of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

The main roles of the directorate are to assist in the definition of Malta's defence policy and to ensure that Malta's interest are safeguarded in the European Union and other international fora where security and defence issues are discussed.

Responsibility for defence has been under the direct aegis of the Prim Minister since Independence.  The AFM is the operational branch of the defence function of the government but as in any other democratic country, in Malta the military operates under civilian direction and control, a function that is exercise by OPM through the directorate.

The main responsibilties of the directorate are:

• to provide objective technical and policy advice as well as timely analysis on all aspects of military matters affecting the Government's defence policy;
• to monitor and anaylse the implementation of Government policies on defence;
• to develope new policy initiatives and concepts on all AFM matters with a view to improving the operational, logistic and administrative effectiveness of the Force; 
• to coordinate with other sections of the Government, particularly the Foreign Ministry, on defence relations with other countries and international organisations.