Close up view of the army

JOe VELLa

Oct 3rd 2010, 22:06

You are right Mr. Arpa, let us hope the authority read all the posting and some acting will be taken. Someone said we are all experts, well maybe a bit we know something about the armed forces. Our intention is to put across ideas with good intent so as something that is good we try to see it better.

I.Scicluna - Rabat

Oct 3rd 2010, 19:24

This country never fails to surprise me...we are probably the only country full of experts on everything under the sun and then some!

It is of no use whatsoever to have the largest and most sophisticated of military arsenals to match that of the US, the terrorist always has an edge! There are far more effective weapons in counter-terrorsim other than fast jets, big guns and tanks! Look at the 9/11 attack on the US...WHAT, other than Intelligence, could have halted/neutralized such an attack?

Our Army does us proud for the work its men and women do everyday and I am sure that they have the capabilities to defend our country should that be required. Now, if anyone wants to know at what levels are their Military Intelligence whether collected in the field or shared with the International Intelligence community, the answer is... "none of your business"! and that's the way it should be.

Mark Zerafa

Oct 3rd 2010, 22:25

What's exactly wrong with an AK-47? Just because it's not a sophisticated, expensive weapon? It is rugged, reliable, dependable and continues working in situations when other rifles would easily give up the ghost. What the Army needs is a better budget to maintain and train on what it has already, not some hi-tech toys which can only help to drain what budgets there are!

J.Borg

Oct 3rd 2010, 22:51

We can send men to places like afganistan and iraq give them the choice to do so that would help stop terrorism. Right now the AFM are just training to shoot guns they will never need to shoot and only paid to pick up immigrants from the sea and stop cars at road blocks. The only good thing i like about the afm is the fact they save people out at sea and stuff like that. But yet again a job for a coastguard not an army. The neutrality in Malta is one big joke and will have many consequences in the future of our country.

Andre B.

Oct 3rd 2010, 23:06

Mr. Borg, did you even visit the AFM Open Day? I did, and i did not see "a few men armed with AK-47s and WW2 Guns". I saw a group of dedicated men and women working hard so that uneducated people like you are proven wrong. The days of 'Forzi Zarmati' and all that crap are over. The AFM is very professional in what they do. How about we praise them for saving that young lad's life last night.. and that foreigner injured in Comino?

Peter Korsten

Oct 4th 2010, 08:29

NATO sets certain minimum limits on military spending. The percentage of the budget that Malta allocates for military spending is ridiculously low, so this would have to increase, and that money would have to come from somewhere. Something tells me that the average Maltese taxpayer is quite happy with the current situation. But this country's defence largely depends on the assumption that NATO would be on our shores in no time, should anybody wish to invade it. Also, getting economic sanctions from the EU is a painful experience these days.

Paul micallef

Oct 3rd 2010, 16:59

I must agree with you, of a wast of money and time, the Army should invest in other sorts of technology to keep our skies protected, shoulder held stingers would do a better job then that outdated piece of AA. Drones would protect our territorial water, and even have the cabability to strike at any target
The up keep of out dated equipment costs a lot of money and time.
I would even suggest a part time unit made up of people that would have the capacity to help all the Forces when help is needed, like guarding certian places, escorting and so on.
Paul micallef

A. Brincat

Oct 3rd 2010, 17:25

Undoubtedly that they will never shoot down an F16. Indeed most of the countries around the world with a budget many times larger than the AFM's are still not able to. You are speaking about an aircraft with technology far advanced. Therefore your comment is out of place.

The role of the AFM is however different. AFM trains its soldiers at the best of their capabilities. They will put their skill and knowledge to its best use when:
1) People are in difficulties in rough seas, therefore risking their lives;
2) Patroling the air with aircraft you can put in museums (becuase government does not care to buy new ones), therefore risking their lives;
3) Working long shifts to keep embasies safe. These might be embassies that can send F16s to our rescue if anyone attempts a coup or an invasion of our countries. Here they also risk their lives (protecting embassies);
4) Doing special assignment work that is so essential and which you might not dream about doing (such as rescuing injured people from dangerous places, therefore risking their lives;
5) Protecting our country in case of peril, such as the USA invading Malta??? Lol

A. Brincat
9H-ABW

Terence Cassar

Oct 4th 2010, 09:43

The army actually has a part time unit: The Emergency Voluntary Reserve Force but unfortunately it is not given the attention that is due.