History of the AFM

In defence of our homeland Since the earliest times, successive rulers of Malta relied mainly on the local fighting men for the protection of the Maltese Islands. In an emergency, the Islanders were often rallied for the defence of their homeland. These non-regular forces were in effect organised groups of trained and armed civilians, and […]

Timeline of AFM’s Lineage

1798 – The First Maltese Army set-up by a Maltese Government & Constitution was on 4th September 1798. 1800 – Maltese Light Infantry battalion formed, under the command of Brigadier General Thomas Graham as part of the British Army. 1802 – Previous battalion disbanded and succeeded by the Maltese Provincial Battalions, the Malta Coast Artillery and the Maltese Veterans​. 1815 – Royal Malta Fencible Regiment succeeded the previous three […]

AgustaWestland AW139

​ AgustaWestland AW139 ​Cruise Speed ​150kts ​Crew ​2 Pilots, 1 Technician/Hoist Operator, 1 MSO, 2 RescuersTotal POB: Maximum 12 passengers ​Endurance ​Maximum 4hrs ​Power Plant ​​2x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C ​Equipment ​Border Control and SAR/Medevac capability ​Dimensions ​Length (rotors turning) – 16.62m (54.55ft)Overall height – 4.98m (16.36ft)Main Rotor Diameter – 13.80m (45.27ft)Landing gear – […]

P71-P61(Offshore)

​OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL (OPV) (P71) Displacement (tonnes) Over 2000 tonnes (full load) ​Dimensions (metres – feet) ​74.8 x 13 ​Speed (knots) ​Over 40 knots ​Range (NM) ​2,100 at 16kts ​Complement ​25 (4 Officers) ​Machinery x2 Wartsila medium speed diesel engines of 5,440kW each, hybrid propulsion system provided by two electric motors ​Guns ​x1 25mm remotely controlled […]

Operations Centre

The AFM Operations Centre is located at Luqa Barracks.  It is a multi-function structure, fulfilling various roles on the national and international level.  Most of these functions go towards the fulfilment of international obligations on behalf of the State as well as other functions that are considered vital on a national level.  In consideration of […]

Maritime Operations

The AFM conducts a wide range of operations in the maritime domain. These include:  Support marine conservation research projects; Maritime Resources The resources available to the AFM for the conduct of maritime operations include the patrol vessels and small boats operated by Maritime Squadron, the fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters operated by the Air Wing and the […]

Land Operations

As one of the national instruments of Government, the AFM is predominantly engaged in military and wider security operations in order to safeguard Malta’s territorial integrity.  It has also been entrusted to act in support of the foreign and security policies of the Government of Malta, by deploying military forces abroad as pledges of support […]

Air Operations

The Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta performs a number of operations including; Search and Rescue Operations The AFM has been responsible for SAR operations since 1978, when, the Royal Air Force 1151 Marine Craft Unit was disbanded in view of the departure of the British Forces from Malta.  Since the inception of […]

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)

Prior to 2018, the Armed Forces of Malta had only deployed officers in staff officer positions however, since then the AFM deploys a team of officers and soldiers in support of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).  ​  Maltese Officers were the first to participate in 2007 and 2011, and their deployment was […]

OSCE Operations

As part of Malta’s contribution towards the Organisation for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Armed Forces of Malta on a regular basis deploys Officers as guest Evaluators/ Inspectors with Arms Control Agencies of other European  countries under the Vienna Document 2011. The AFM is also bound to provide Officers to escort Evaluation […]