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35-643: Initially on the British Establishment, the regiment was disbanded in 1970 with its personnel and equipment being handed over to the Maltese Government and becoming part of the Malta Land Force . The RMA was a compact force in the late Nineteenth Century and in 1891 it is recorded as being deployed as follows: Initially, the average strength of the RMA was 365 men, but by the beginning of the 20th century,

70-591: A high rate of fire. Air defence posed particular problems because of the passage of time on the Bofors guns, built in the early 1950s. See: AFM aircraft See: AFM maritime patrol vessels Carbine 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

105-399: A number of Bedford trucks which, despite their age, still give excellent service. Suffice to say that these trucks were driven in convoys all the way to Kosovo and back three times in 2001 and not one of them broke down. The Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit is equipped with two remote controlled Explosive Ordnance Disposal Vehicles – robots used to disable a bomb from a safe distance. The first

140-821: A number of weapons at their disposal including the Kalashnikov AK-47 and AKM rifles, the Heckler and Koch MP-5 sub-machine guns, the Beretta 92 FS pistols, the PKM machine gun, as well as the General Purpose Machine Gun L7A1 . Sniper teams are equipped with the Accuracy International sniper rifle while the anti-tank troops embedded within the infantry platoons carry the RPG-7 rocket launcher. Several variants of

175-515: A small number of reserve soldiers. Malta does not employ conscription. Volunteers, who want to enlist, need to be citizens of Malta, and between 18–30 years old. In 2017, there were roughly 1,950 active personnel and 180 reservists. Since Malta's entry in the European Union , the AFM has become more engaged in peacekeeping missions. The AFM has participated in 7 overseas operations. On land, 1 Regiment

210-477: A year. C (Special Duties) Company is also being geared for a quick reaction role, ready for action at a moment's notice should an emergency, such as terrorism, arise. The kit used by the Maltese foot soldier has changed drastically in recent years. The fiat for change was given to C Company prior to its successful participation in the multi-national Partnership for Peace exercise in 1996. Following Malta's pledge towards

245-474: 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. 3 Regiment is the AFM's main support unit, and consists of three operational sections. Established with the AFM review of 30 October 2006, it includes: The Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta is the aerial component of

280-672: Is the designated home of the Maltese Infantry with C (Special Duties) Company being at the cutting edge of this unit. The company is being trained and equipped to be able to contribute a platoon for overseas humanitarian and rescue missions attached to an Italian regiment on missions mandated by the UN or the OSCE. Malta has to ensure that the troops are adequately trained and equipped up to Italian army standards for seamless integration within an Italian regiment, able to tackle any foreseeable problems for up to

315-414: 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

350-750: The AFM has an active role in border control. In April 1800, while the blockade of Valletta was underway, Thomas Graham raised the first official Maltese Troops in the British Army, which became known as the Maltese Light Infantry . This battalion was disbanded in 1802 and succeeded by the Maltese Provincial Battalions , the Malta Coast Artillery and the Maltese Veterans . In 1815, Lieutenant Colonel Count Francis Rivarola

385-615: The AKM rifle have been modernized by FAB Defense, along with the use of renewable personnel combat equipment from the UK. In addition, the 1st Regiment also adopted the SIG MCX , a new assault rifle for use in special operations. Considering that the AK assault rifle is too powerful and is considered less suitable for CQB . Eight-man sections are deployed either on Land rovers or Iveco VM-90 trucks. The AFM also operates

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420-591: The Beretta FS and some Makarov. The army has also bought Heckler and Koch sub-machine guns and, thanks to Chinese assistance, all infantrymen now have their own individual AKM rifle. The Maltese Infantry soldier is equipped with the latest British Army issue Personal Load Bearing Equipment including both the webbing and bergen as well as the woodland pattern battle dress uniform, Avon S10 respirator and Kevlar ballistic helmet. Protective ballistic vests and night vision goggles are carried when required. Infantry soldiers have

455-560: The EU's Military Headline Goal in 2000, procurement received another boost. With funding being a perennial problem, over the years the Force had to rely on varied equipment transferred or financed by several countries. Standardisation was a headache. But matters have improved considerably, especially with regard to light infantry weapons. At one time there were as many as eight different types of pistol and associated ammunition, now there are two, principally

490-648: The Malta Garrison), presented the regiment with a set of colours on the Floriana Parade Ground . The regiment parading was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel the Marquess de Piro . Between 1829 and 1839 the unit's officer manning levels remained fairly stable at: In 1856 Imperial account returns record that the "Royal Malta Fencibles" cost the Crown just under £12,197, less £1,099 in pay stoppages. On 3 January 1862

525-585: The Malta Territorial Force before becoming part of the Malta Land Force on Malta's independence in 1964. The regiment was disbanded in 1972. 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,

560-413: The RMA used the same personal and crew-served weapons in service with the British Army. During World War II the RMA used light and heavy anti-aircraft guns and searchlights to help defend the island against air attack. The RMA used a range of UK/US manufactured support vehicles as general duties and logistics support. They also manned a range of searchlight and target acquisition systems associated with

595-408: The anti-aircraft artillery. Armed Forces of Malta The Armed Forces of Malta ( Maltese : Forzi Armati ta' 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. Since Malta is the guardian of the European Union 's southernmost border,

630-497: 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. KOMR Battle Honours HQ AFM is the Force Headquarters located at Luqa Barracks, Luqa. It is a joint Headquarters that operates at the military strategic as well as the operational and tactical levels. HQ AFM is composed of the following branches: 1st Regiment

665-443: The current Maltese military. The Air Wing has responsibility for the security of Maltese airspace, conducts maritime patrol and search and rescue duties, and provides military assistance to other government departments of Malta. The Air Wing is based at Malta International Airport . The Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta is the naval component of the current Maltese military. The Maritime Squadron has responsibility for

700-600: The force that day. During World War II the RMA wore the same uniform as the British Army . Most, if not all units stationed in Malta during World War II including the RMA had adopted a unique camouflage pattern on their helmets. This pattern attempted to replicate the rubble walls that are still commonly used to separate fields and properties in Malta . It was also applied to vehicles, bunkers and anti-aircraft guns. During World War II

735-478: The formation of the Royal Malta Artillery on 23 March 1889. The King's Own Malta Regiment was a territorial infantry regiment on the British Army colonial list. 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 being disbanded again in 1857. It was raised again, this time as

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770-432: The greater Valletta area. Three of the companies were trained as coastal artillery, and were located in fixed defensive points in and around St Julian’s , Marsaxlokk and St Paul's Bay . In 1817 the unit would be reduced to six companies, each under the command of a captain. The regiment augmented the island's police force and provided young officers to act as adjutants to local police force commanders. However by 1821

805-592: The inter-war years acting as coastal and heavy anti-aircraft artillery. From 1938 onwards the RMA expanded to make up two coast regiments. one of which would become a heavy anti-aircraft regiment. The RMA is known to have had the following units on its ORBAT: They were vital in repelling the Italian naval attack on Grand Harbour on 26 July 1941. 1 Regiment Royal Malta Artillery served in Germany within BAOR from 1962 to 1970. In 1968

840-460: The motto "Tutela Bellicæ Virtutis" underneath. Royal Malta Fencible Regiment The Royal Malta Fencible Regiment was an infantry battalion of the British Army which existed from 1815 to 1861 in Malta , then a British colony . The regiment was recruited and organised by Francesco Rivarola in 1815; Rivarola had proved himself loyal to the British Crown in fighting France. In 1861

875-496: The outbreak of hostilities the RMA had steadily been reduced to a Depot Company and Three Gun Companies (of various types and roles). In 1914 this trend was reversed and the RMA raised an extra company and was deployed thus: At the end of the Great War, the RMA were deployed to guarding POWs until 1920 when they were taken off this task and the unit was reduced to its pre-war three company order of battle ( ORBAT ). The RMA would spend

910-502: The regiment in dress uniform of 1839. British Army units designated Fencibles were normally local forces raised for defence of an immediate locality and were commonplace in the United Kingdom . Many of Malta's noble families would provide the regiment with its officers The regiment initially consisted of ten companies of Maltese soldiers and these were spread over the main island of Malta, with seven based in garrison areas within

945-527: The regiment was disbanded as an infantry unit and designated as a coastal artillery defence regiment, becoming the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery. The regiment was clothed in the same uniform as the rest of the British army and all ranks dress uniform was a close-fitting scarlet tunic with tails, blue facings and gold lace for officers, dark blue/grey trousers or white overalls and headgear being

980-641: The security of Maltese territorial waters, maritime surveillance and law enforcement, as well as search and rescue. It is based at Hay Wharf (Xatt it-Tiben) in Floriana . It currently operates 10 patrol vessels and 6 other boats. In addition to the regular forces, there is also the Volunteer Reserve Force , which consists of part-time volunteers to support the regulars. The presence of the Italian Military Mission (IMM) in Malta has taken form in

1015-645: The shape of technical assistance spread over three periods of time; firstly, between 1973 and 1979, then between 1981 and July 1988, and lastly from July 1988 to 7 November 2016, when its last helicopter left Malta. IMM personnel resources in Malta totalled 12 officers and 35 NCOs from the three service branches of the Italian Armed Forces. It was also equipped with two AB 212 helicopters, 15 heavy plant vehicles, 60 light all-purpose utility vehicles, radio telecommunications, and weapons. The Armed Forces of Malta mainly consist of professional soldiers. There are also

1050-457: The standard black infantry shako of various patterns issued to the British Army during the time of the unit's establishment. The shako badge was modelled on the British infantry standard eight-pointed facetted star with a Maltese crest at the centre and an immediate surrounding regimental title. In 1989 a set of Maltese commemorative stamps (the 4 Cent stamp) included an illustration of an officer of

1085-631: The then Prime Minister of Malta George Borg Olivier visited the Regiment in its barracks in Mulheim, and announced that the 1st Regiment RMA would cease to be part of the British Army of the Rhine in 1970 and could return to Malta to form the core of its land forces. 500 officers and men from the Royal Malta Artillery took their oath of allegiance and were enlisted in the Malta Land Force (MLF) on 1 October 1970. Maltese Engineer and Signals personnel were also absorbed into

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1120-458: The unit has more than doubled its size, with its HQ still at Fort Lascaris and two companies based at Fort St Angelo and Fort Salvatore at Cottonera . The unit had a total of eight companies two of which were earmarked for service beyond the island and one RMA Company would be deployed to serve in Egypt (Cairo and Alexandria) in the early 1900s. The Malta-based units were arranged as follows: Up until

1155-656: The unit was tasked with general military duties, giving up its police tasks. In 1835 an article in the United Services Magazine put the total strength of the unit at 468; in 1836 Statistics of the Colonies of the British Empire gave far more detail on the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment's establishment as: On 21 November 1838 Lieutenant General Sir Henry F Bouverie (Governor of Malta and commanding

1190-434: Was bought in 1989 and a second, much more sophisticated one, was bought last year. The Air Defence Battery forms part of 2nd Regiment and operates Bofors 40L/70 anti-aircraft guns and four barrelled ZSU-4 heavy machine guns. The Bofors guns can be operated either manually or electrically and they can be laid on their targets either visually or through radar. The 14.5mm machine guns can only be operated manually but they provide

1225-602: Was entrusted with the task of raising the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment following the disbandment of the Provincials, Veterans and Coast Artillery. The Royal Malta Fencible Regiment was converted to an artillery regiment in 1861 and became known as the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery . Twenty-eight years later, the direct predecessors of the modern Armed Forces of Malta came into existence following

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