The last decade and a half has seen a transformation in the quality and organisation of the Armed Forces of Malta. After many years of neglect by successive governments, both the Fenech Adami and Sant Administrations set in hand reviews of the AFM in the late 1990s, under the guidance of their military policy adviser, which led to restructuring, gradual re-equipment and improved, if spasmodic, recruitment.

The fruits of this gradual improvement were no more evident than in the speech by the Prime Minister - who is also Malta's Minister for Defence - to the Passing out Parade of new recruits late last month. He announced the expenditure of €12 million on surveillance and communications equipment, including a new aircraft equipped with sophisticated surveillance technology to be used for search and rescue operations, together with a new, modern communication system that started operating earlier this year.

Moreover, the Maritime Squadron - effectively the AFM's front-line force against illegal immigration and the immediate response to the numerous search and rescue missions in Malta's huge SAR region - has started using four new patrol boats worth €95 million.

The raison d'être of any military force is operational effectiveness for combat or other operations. Operational effectiveness is derived from a combination of factors, among which, most importantly, professional competence, good military organisation, efficient logistic support and infrastructure, effective command and control, adequate manpower, up-to-date equipment capability and vigorous leadership and good morale stand out.

Effective leadership in the AFM has never been a problem. There is a long tradition, going back the Royal Malta Artillery, of excellent leadership. The new generation of officers, who took command with the last two commanders, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo and Brigadier Martin Xuereb, are well-trained, highly motivated, young and energetic.

Training standards have always been high and the young recruits who passed out recently had gone through a demanding training regime. Ten officer cadets were also commissioned and it was noteworthy that three young officers had won top awards during their military training in the United Kingdom and the United States.

With the AFM once again involved in Partnership for Peace and with detachments now serving in anti-piracy patrols in Somalia as part of the EU force there, it is incumbent on the government to ensure that this multi-purpose military force is well trained and well equipped. The last eight years have tested the AFM's range of capabilities at sea, in the air and on land in dealing with the surge of illegal immigration through the central Mediterranean. Although this threat has subsided it continues to be an existential challenge to which the AFM must remain alert.

Although there are gaps in the AFM's capability that should be improved, most notably in manpower numbers, "the solid values of loyalty, duty, respect, integrity and personal courage", which the Prime Minister highlighted in his speech to the Passing out Parade, remain the bedrock on which the force's future training and development can be built.

There is, thankfully, no direct military threat to the Maltese islands but, in an uncertain world, challenges to Malta's territorial, economic or political interests could arise at short notice in a range of circumstances, from natural or man-made disasters to a renewed upsurge in illegal immigration. Malta's armed forces remain a crucial insurance against the unexpected.