Soldiers and sailors from Malta, France, Italy and Algeria today practiced ship boarding and gunnery during the second day of the Canale military exercise being held some 25 miles south of Malta.
Today's exercise also included joint sailing procedures and an exercise by bomb disposal soldiers in searching and dismantling an explosive devise aboard a ship.
It was the first time that two of the AFM's four new Austal class patrol boats were used in such an exercise. Also taking part was a P51 Protector class patrol boat and vessels from Algeria, France and Italy.
Gunnery practice was also made by an Alouette helicopter crew which sank tanks used as targets.
The exercise continues throughout the week.