The Armed Forces of Malta has ordered four new patrol boats worth €9.6 million, which will be co-financed by the EU External Borders Fund and the government.

The AFM has commissioned world leader Austal to build the new 21.2m boats. This is the company's first European defence contract.

The vessels will be built at Austal's Australian shipyards and are scheduled for delivery by the end of the year. The vessels will have a maximum speed of more than 26 knots.

The new order adds to Austal's current patrol craft contracts comprising six high-speed vessels for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and three patrol catamarans for the Queensland Police.

Austal also has contracts to design and build the US Navy's 127m Littoral Combat Ship and 103m Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV).

Addressing the press during a contract signing ceremony, Austal's managing director Bob Browning said the company was seeing increased interest from nations seeking fast and economical aluminium patrol boats for protection against modern-day coastal border security threats.

Austal was awarded the contract following an international tender process, which called for a proven design that addressed specific AFM requirements, as well as meeting a demanding delivery schedule.

Lieutenant Colonel Martin Sammut said the vessels will enhance border surveillance capabilities.

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