2011-04-01

King's Own Malta Regiment

Armed Forces of Malta

Not to be confused with Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
Armed Forces of Malta
Forzi Armati ta' Malta
Founded 19 April 1973
Service branches




Headquarters Luqa Barracks
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.

Organisation

Headquarters, AFM

HQ AFM is the main command centre for the Armed Forces of Malta, and is divided into four main areas.

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.

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:

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.

Ex-AFM Ships

A list of vessels since retired by the AFM :

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.

4th Regiment, AFM

Established with the AFM review of Oct 30th, 2006, it includes:

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 Air Defence & Support Company (ADSC), 1 Regiment AFM.

Italian Military Mission Malta

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.

Ranks

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.

Battle Honours

Equipment

Vehicles

Uniform and Personal Equipment

Light equipment

References

External links






Retrieved from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_of_Malta#King.27s_Own_Malta_Regiment
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