US donates two new patrol boats to AFM

The Armed Forces of Malta’s Maritime Squadron has been donated two new 'Defender-Class' inshore patrol boats and their associated towing vehicles by the US government.

During the official inauguration the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi highlighted the excellent relationship the AFM enjoys with the Defence Attaché's Office at the US Embassy in Malta as well as the excellent military to military relationship with the Armed Services of the United States.

US Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley 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."

On his part, home affairs minister Manuel Mallia underlined the long standing bilateral relationship between the two nations and said that the new 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.”

One of the two new 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.

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.