Colonel James L Grech
Deputy Commander Armed Forces of Malta
Colonel Grech was born on 10 July 1977. He attended St Aloysius College in Birkirkara, Malta. Currently, he heads the Operations, Plans, and Intelligence Branch at the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Headquarters.
Colonel Grech joined the Armed Forces of Malta in 1999. Following basic training in Malta, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant in 2000. Between 1999 and 2003, he completed his studies at the German Naval Academy in Mürwik, during which he took part in various exercises and training missions aboard German naval vessels and attended several specialised courses within the German Navy.
Over the course of his 26-year military career, Colonel Grech has held a broad range of operational and administrative roles. He served extensively within the Maritime Squadron, including as Commanding Officer of vessels OPV P31, CPV P52, and OPV P61. His duties included participation in international naval exercises, search and rescue missions, and maritime security operations.
He also served as Officer in Command of the Coastal Patrol Boats Section, the Inshore Patrol Boat Command, and the Offshore Patrol Boat Command. During this time, he pursued further military and civilian training in maritime affairs, including the successful completion of the Commanding Officers Course at the Italian Naval Command School in Augusta. In 2008, the Maritime Squadron, where Colonel Grech was serving at the time was awarded the Medal for Service to the Republic.
In 2011, Colonel Grech was appointed Staff Officer within the Logistics Branch at the Headquarters, Armed Forces of Malta. In this role, he contributed to key procurement projects and played a vital part in the modernisation of the Armed Forces’ maritime and air fleets.
He later completed the Naval Staff College at the Maritime War College in Venice in 2012. Colonel Grech is also qualified as a Search and Rescue On-Scene Commander and undertook specialised training in Regional Ocean Governance at the International Ocean Institute at the University of Malta.
In 2013, Colonel Grech was appointed Staff Officer for Maritime and Air, Plans and Operations within the Operations Branch. Two years later, he obtained an Advanced Diploma in Maritime Law from the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI). Alongside his military role, he also lectures at the Maritime Safety and Security Training Centre (MSSTC).
On Republic Day 2014 Colonel Grech was awarded with the Distinct Service Medal. Colonel Grech also received the Long Efficient Service medal in 2017 and the first clasp in 2025.
Colonel Grech represents the Armed Forces of Malta in several boards on a national and international level related to Maritime Safety and Security and serves also as a Member on the National Fisheries Board.