72 soldiers, including five women, held their passing out parade at Luqa Barracks this morning on completion of their 18-week basic training.

The recruits were inspected by the Minister of Home Affairs Manuel Mallia who congratulated them and promised them ongoing training.

He said the government would continue to invest in equipment for the Force.

He urged the recruits to see their work as a vocation and to remain focused even when the AFM was criticised.

Dr Mallia noted that there had been 350 applications of whom 89 cadets were chosen for the intensive basic course which included physical training, drill and use of arms. For the first time, an element of psychological training was also introduced.

He noted that the AFM was currently engaging 120 more soldiers and the process for the recruitment of another group of 120 would follow shortly after.

The army, he said, faced various challenges, notably immigration. The forces also needed to work more closely together to fight crime.

The minister said the main equipment procurement currently underway included the acquisition of a new €20m maritime surveillance helicopter and the possible acquisition of a second, new hangar equipment for the Air Wing Hangar, night vision equipment and the integration of the helicopters with the P-61 patrol boat.

Two patrol boats were also having their surveillance and communications equipment upgrades.

Pictures: AFM