Investing in defence is essential, but what truly makes a difference is how efficiently Malta allocates and strategically focuses its military resources.

Malta is a small island, smack in the middle of the Mediterranean, and with some unique security issues. Its resources have over several decades often been diverted to peace-time paramilitary or civil roles.

Roles like border management, search and rescue, and fisheries control, are important for peace-time safety, but they’ve taken away from Malta’s core military objectives.

As the island nation relies more on Europe for essentials like food, energy, and internet, its military needs to concentrate on the most pressing threats.

All of a sudden, there’s been a lot of buzz around boosting Malta’s defence spending! But let’s get real, as aptly explained in this published Times of Malta’s Talking Point piece – throwing more money at the problem doesn’t automatically make the Islands stronger or better prepared.

Just increasing the defence budget won’t cut it. Malta need to be smart about how it uses its resources, with a focus on where the money goes and by making sure it’s allocated efficiently.

I totally back this perspective because investing wisely in building capabilities is what really counts for making the Maltese military effective.

There’s a common misconception that more money equals better readiness. But that’s not always true. Plenty of countries with big defence budgets still deal with inefficiencies and poor resource management. Simply throwing more funds at the military can lead to increased spending on equipment and personnel without actually improving effectiveness.

Malta’s defence force needs to get back to basics – maritime surveillance, border patrols, and key point protection.

Any increase in defence spending should be directed towards enhancing Malta’s military capabilities. This includes investing in high-level training for its senior military officers and acquiring modern defence technologies to tackle the Islands’ specific challenges.

At the end of the day, Malta’s defence strategy should focus on building capabilities rather than just increasing the budget. Quality investment in equipment, personnel, and training is what will make the Maltese military effective. The nation needs to strengthen its military readiness and ensure that civil duties don’t overshadow its national security.

So, boosting defence spending isn’t just about financial commitment. It needs to be a strategic investment in building capabilities to guarantee military effectiveness. Malta’s defence capabilities depend on how wisely we use our resources. Shifting the focus back to military missions will be key to making sure our defence forces are ready to protect and defend us in an ever-changing security environment.

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— Read on timesofmalta.com/article/rethinking-malta-defence-priorities.1105099