Tag Archives: MALTESE MILITARY

Pressure Points in the Central Mediterranean

Posted on September 4, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

A Russian submarine off Sicily, U.S. defense tariffs, rising oil prices and shifting migration routes are squeezing the central Mediterranean—and Malta sits right in the squeeze. We unpack those pressures and outline practical steps the Islands can take to stay ahead of the curve. Continue reading →

Posted in ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS, Island Fortress, Malta, WORLD MILITARY | Tagged AFM, ARMED FORCES, ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, border, CentralMed, defense procurement, EnergySecurity, EU, EU funding, European Union, fleet renewal, FORZI ARMATI, FRONTEX, HybridWarfare, illegal migration, irregular migration, MALTA, Malta defense, MaltaSecurity, MALTESE, MALTESE MILITARY, MALTIN, maritime budget, maritime security, MaritimeAwareness, Mediterranean security, migration, MigrationReady, military planning, naval strategy, strategic planning, Valletta | Leave a comment

Gaps at Sea: Why Malta Needs a Unified Naval Strategy

Posted on July 10, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

We trace two decades of stopgap naval decisions in Malta—from the lone P61 to the belated P71—and shows how reactive procurement, heavy reliance on EU funding, and shifting military roles have left gaps in maritime defense. We argue for a unified, long-term strategy driven by stable budgeting and clear leadership so that Malta can replace one-off fixes with a fleet built for future security challenges. Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged AFM, ARMED FORCES, ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, border, defense procurement, EU, EU funding, European Union, fleet renewal, FORZI ARMATI, FRONTEX, MALTA, Malta defense, MALTESE, MALTESE MILITARY, MALTIN, maritime budget, maritime security, Mediterranean security, military planning, naval strategy, P61, P71, strategic planning | Leave a comment

Reactive to Proactive: Building Malta’s Long-Term Maritime Defense

Posted on July 10, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

Tracing two decades of stopgap naval decisions in Malta—from the lone P61 to the belated P71—and shows how reactive procurement, heavy reliance on EU funding, and shifting military roles have left gaps in maritime defense. We argue for a unified, long-term strategy driven by stable budgeting and clear leadership so that Malta can replace one-off fixes with a fleet built for future security challenges. Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged AFM, ARMED FORCES, ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, border, defense procurement, EU, EU funding, European Union, fleet renewal, FORZI ARMATI, FRONTEX, illegal migration, irregular migration, MALTA, Malta defense, MALTESE, MALTESE MILITARY, MALTIN, maritime budget, maritime security, Mediterranean security, military planning, naval strategy, P61, P71, strategic planning | Leave a comment

Malta’s Quiet Watch: Reading the Ukraine Conflict from the Central Mediterranean

Posted on July 10, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

Malta’s unique position between Europe, North Africa and the Levant reveals early signals from the Ukraine conflict. Watching energy prices, bond yields and maritime traffic, Malta’s diplomats need to transform subtle shifts into practical insights for regional stability. Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged AFM, ARMED FORCES, ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, border, Central Mediterranean, commodity shipments, diplomatic strategy, energy markets, EU, European geopolitics, European Union, FORZI ARMATI, hybrid warfare, MALTA, Malta diplomacy, MALTESE, MALTESE MILITARY, MALTIN, maritime security, market signals, military posture, nuclear deterrence, open-source intelligence, port monitoring, refugee flows, Russia-Ukraine conflict, Valletta | Leave a comment

The Mediterranean has transformed from a passive buffer into a “compression chamber”

Posted on July 9, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

A focused look at how Haftar’s Benghazi regime, “dark fleet” tankers, Houthi raids and Europe’s industrial strains are converging to tighten maritime pressure—shaping a new strategic reality Malta can’t ignore. Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged AIS blackout, benghazi, border, cyber friction, Cyrenaica realignment, dark shipping, dual-use infrastructure, energy security, European Union, FRONTEX, frozen Libyan assets, Haftar regime, Houthi Red Sea raids, hybrid maritime threats, illegal migration, irregular migration, MALTA, Malta defense, MALTESE, MALTESE MILITARY, Mediterranean security, migration, migration pressure, NATO southern flank, shadow logistics, Valletta, Wagner in Fezzan | Leave a comment

Malta’s defence force needs to get back to basics

Posted on February 14, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

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

Posted in ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS, Malta, WORLD MILITARY | Tagged 1ST REGIMENT, AFM, ARMED FORCES, ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, European Union, FORZI ARMATI, MALTA, MALTESE MILITARY, MALTIN | Leave a comment

The Maltese Territorial Regiments of the British Army

Posted on May 19, 2023 by ivanmconsiglio

The Territorial Army in Malta: an interview with Dr. John Consiglio Former 3/11th Regiment, Royal Malta Artillery (Territorials) member. Dr. John Consiglio, sits down to explain the benefits to Maltese society that the part-time soldiers brought to the Island nation’s … Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged 1ST REGIMENT, ARMED FORCES, ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, FORZI ARMATI, Ivan Consiglio, Ivan M. Consiglio, MALTA, MALTESE, MALTESE MILITARY, WW2 | Leave a comment

“MARCH FOR PUTTINU”: MALTESE SOLDIERS TO YOMP IN AID OF CHARITY

Posted on November 13, 2013 by ivanmconsiglio

”March for Putting Initiative” by soldiers of 1st Regiment AFM’s ”C” (Special Duties) Company will be leading a YOMP MARCH IN AID OF CHARITY. Continue reading →