Armed Forces 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 battalion s , with minimal air and naval forces . The AFM is also responsible for border control . 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 . The Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta is the aerial component of 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 . 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 . 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