A military force that is willing and able

The entry in service of a new Hawker Beechcraft King Air maritime patrol aircraft is a significant enhancement of the Armed Forces of Malta’s operational capability. It is the first time the AFM Air Wing has had a new aircraft, as opposed to those “handed down” second-hand from other friendly national air forces in the past.

The new aircraft is equipped with sophisticated search radar, infra-red equipment and communication facilities far superior to those the AFM has ever had so far. The further exciting news is that a second aircraft – also, like this, tailor-made to fit the AFM’s own equipment specification – is expected to be commissioned next year. The King Air will join the AFM Air Wing’s aging aircraft, which have hitherto been the armed forces’ workhorses in the sky for the past years.

Coming on top of the four modern patrol boats unveiled last year, it can be seen that the AFM’s front line role in search and rescue in its huge air-sea rescue region of almost 206,000 square kilometres has been greatly increased. Given the demanding operational commitments which this entails – commitments that events in Libya can only serve to increase – the enhancement to the army’s operational capability is both timely and greatly to be welcomed.

A military force’s operational capability can be measured in several ways. The vital test lies in its ability to perform the operational roles placed upon it by the government, at times even by circumstances. The raison d’être of any military force is operational effectiveness for combat or other duties. Operational effectiveness is derived from a combination of factors, including professional competence, good military organisation, logistical support, efficient command and control, adequate manpower, up-to-date equipment capability and effective leadership.

When measured against all these criteria, the AFM’s performance over the last 10 years or so – especially since the first flows of illegal immigration began in 2002 – has been most creditable. The Air Wing and the Maritime Squadron have had to bear the main burden but this has placed inevitable demands on other parts of the force as well.

The encouraging factors about the AFM’s operational development over the last decade have been the way good training and leadership, coupled with improved equipment, have blazed the trail. There is a lesson here for other parts of Malta’s public service. It is interesting to note that the AFM personnel who will man the new Hawker Beechcraft aircraft have been trained abroad. This is necessary because the equipment is new but it also fosters the attainment of the right standards from the start.

In all senior positions of the force, officers and non-commissioned officers receive much of their development training abroad in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom or the United States. This inculcates in the AFM’s own officers an awareness of the standards to aim for and this, in turn, is passed on to the men they command. The training and experience they derive from belonging to the Partnership for Peace project also helps in achieving this objective.

Over the last few years, the AFM has undergone improvements in several crucial areas. Its organisation has been restructured to meet its operational needs more effectively. Its manpower, although still stretched in some areas, has seen an increase. While there are still gaps, the programme of modernisation of its equipment has progressed and plans exist to continue improving it.

Above all, however, morale and leadership, the most vital elements affecting capability of any force, appear to be sound.