Yesterday afternoon, two new ‘Defender-Class’ inshore patrol boats and their associated towing vehicles were officially inaugurated at Maritime Squadron. The new assets have been donated by the government of the United States of America.
One of these boats has already been deployed to Gozo where, together with an AFM’s Search and Rescue launch, it provides important operational capabilities in the waters around the sister island of Gozo.
The ceremony was attended by high ranking military officers and other distinguished guests. Those present were addressed by Dr Manuel Mallia, Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, Her Excellency Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Ambassador of the United States of America for Malta, and the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi.
In his speech, Brigadier Curmi, highlighted the excellent relationship the AFM enjoys with the Defence Attaché’s Office at the Embassy here in Malta as well as the excellent military to military relationship with the Armed Services of the United States.
He personally thanked the Ambassador for this generous gift and, more importantly, for the sterling support delivered by the Embassy that she heads; the American Government and the American people. This, he continued, is not the only time the U.S. Government allocated funds to help the AFM as there are a number of courses in the United States that are offered to Maltese military personnel.
The U.S. Ambassador said, “I know these boats have saved 3,000 lives! We’re really thrilled to support Malta as you continue this important work. It’s a great partnership.”
The Minister for Home Affairs and National Security said that this was another occasion that reinforces the long standing bilateral relationship between two nations. “Malta and the United States of America are two nations that although very different in size and geographical positions, converge on a number of points mainly: the will to have a free society that has deep-roots in democratic principles and a nation that provides the necessary safety and security of every citizen within it.
“Today the Maltese Government is proud to announce that we made a big step forward to assure equal rights for the members of the Armed Forces and other Discipline Corps, by giving them the right to join a trade union of their choice. This will be an effective safeguard from the injustices which happened in the past.”
Minister Mallia announced that the remedies given by the Army Board of Injustices will soon be addressed.
These two cutting edge maritime assets are yet another concrete demonstration of the will of the two sides to combat terrorism, illicit activities and proliferation at sea and ensure that our maritime space remains a place that delivers security and prosperity to our two nations.
This logical extension of the AFM’s maritime efforts provides the Maltese population with a higher degree of safety and security at sea. Recently, one of the donated assets was deployed to Greece in support to a detachment of Maritime Squadron Personnel that conducted patrols off the island of Lesvos late last year.
More information on the latest maritime acquisition can be found on http://www.afm.gov.mt/p05-p06 [1].
Photographs: Justin Gatt/AFM Press Office