EC investigating AFM order for patrol boats

The European Commission is investigating the order which the Armed Forces of Malta placed with an Australian shipyard last February for four new patrol boats worth €9.6 million. These will be co-financed by the EU External Borders Fund and the government.

AFM Commander Brigadier Carmel Vassallo said this yesterday while informing the House Social Committee of the army's projects to strengthen its operations against irregular immigration. Funds for these projects would come from the 2010 External Borders Fund.

Brig. Vassallo said that European tenderers had complained to the EC that the order to build the new 21.2 metre boats had been placed with the Australian shipyard. This was the company's first European defence contract.

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

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

Announcing the placing of the order last February, the army said that the vessels would enhance Malta's border surveillance capabilities.

Brig. Vassallo said an order for a security communications system had been placed with an Isreali company which has a local agency. This system would be in place by the end of the year.

The seven companies that had bid for the maritime patrol aircraft had been shortlisted to the two or three which had satisfied the specifications. Brig. Vassallo said that the army had to be aware of the running costs of the aircraft, including crew training, and not just the capital outlay.

Further projects are on the drawing board to come out of the 2011-2013 EU budget.