Malta Military Power Ranking 2025

MPR Rank: 162nd
MPR SCORE: 164
MPR Index: 0.0267(1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9223 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.752 (standard deviations above the mean)

Overview

Malta ranks 162nd in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. As a small island nation in the central Mediterranean, Malta maintains a modest yet capable military force focused on territorial integrity, maritime security, and civil protection. The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) function as a multi-role security institution, with core responsibilities in search and rescue, border enforcement, disaster response, and counter-migration operations.

Although Malta lacks conventional offensive capabilities, its strategic geographic location between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East makes it an important actor in regional maritime stability. The AFM works closely with EU agencies, NATO programs, and Mediterranean partner nations to secure sea lanes and assist in crisis coordination.

Military Strengths

Malta’s military strength is centered on maritime enforcement, airspace surveillance, and multi-role civil support operations.

1. Maritime Security and Border Control

The AFM Maritime Squadron operates coastal patrol boats, interceptor craft, and offshore vessels for enforcing fisheries laws, immigration controls, and anti-smuggling efforts.
Malta plays a lead role in EU border monitoring programs like FRONTEX, focusing on Mediterranean migrant flows.

2. Search and Rescue (SAR) Excellence

Located near key migration and shipping routes, Malta coordinates search and rescue operations in a large SAR zone, often responding to migrant vessel distress calls and shipwrecks.
The AFM Air Wing deploys AW139 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for reconnaissance and medical evacuation.

3. Civil Protection and Emergency Response

AFM personnel are trained for fire response, urban search and rescue, and disaster relief, often assisting the Civil Protection Department during floods, storms, or major accidents.
Works in tandem with Malta Police, customs, and health services in national security coordination.

4. Strategic Partnerships and EU Integration

Participates in EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions, and benefits from joint procurement and training initiatives.
Conducts military exchanges and exercises with NATO members, despite Malta’s constitutional neutrality.

Why Malta Is Still Ranked 162nd

No Heavy Weapons, Armor, or Combat Air Power
Malta has no tanks, artillery, or fighter jets. The air wing is limited to utility helicopters and surveillance aircraft with no offensive capacity.
Small Force Size and Budget
The AFM comprises fewer than 2,500 active personnel, limiting scalability, modernization, and independent sustainment of long-duration operations.
No Strategic Deterrent or Projection Capability
The military is designed exclusively for defense and support operations—there are no missile systems, naval warfare assets, or long-range strike platforms.
Constitutional Neutrality Limits Expansion
Malta’s non-alignment policy and constitutional neutrality restrict participation in formal military alliances and limit its strategic autonomy.

Conclusion

Malta operates a small but professional military tailored for maritime law enforcement, humanitarian rescue, and internal security support, making it an indispensable node in Mediterranean crisis management. While lacking in conventional combat power, the Armed Forces of Malta play a crucial role in border control, civil protection, and multinational security coordination. Its MPR rank reflects limited kinetic capability, but also acknowledges its strategic geographic value and operational efficiency in non-traditional roles.

Military Strength and Force Projection

Active Military Personnel: 2,500 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 300
Paramilitary Forces: 1,200 (Customs, Police, Civil Protection)
Army Personnel: 1,500
Navy Personnel: 800
Air Wing Personnel: 200

Ground Forces

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 10+ (lightly armored vehicles)
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): None

Air Wing

Malta does not operate a formal air force, but the AFM maintains a small air wing primarily for transport, surveillance, and search and rescue missions.

Helicopters: 5
Transport Aircraft: 3

Aircraft Breakdown:

AW139 Helicopters: 3
King Air B200 Aircraft: 2 (for maritime patrol)

Naval Forces

Malta's navy focuses on maritime security, border control, and search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean. Though small, its fleet is vital for protecting Malta's maritime borders and conducting humanitarian missions related to migration.

Patrol Boats: 8
Fast Attack Craft: None

Missile Capabilities

Malta does not possess any advanced missile systems or nuclear capabilities. Its military forces are primarily focused on defense and humanitarian missions, with no significant capability for power projection beyond the region.

Strategic Partnerships

Malta maintains strong defense relationships with the European Union and NATO, although it is not a formal member of the latter. It receives military support and training from NATO allies and the United States, focusing on maritime security and border control. Malta also contributes to regional security initiatives, particularly in the Mediterranean, and plays a role in EU operations for migrant rescue and border security.

Military History & Combat Experience

Malta’s military history is dominated by its role as a strategic fortress, particularly during the World Wars, and by its post-independence transition to a neutral, civil-defense-oriented force.

World War II and the Siege of Malta (1940–1943):
As a British colony, Malta was one of the most heavily bombed locations during WWII, enduring a prolonged Axis siege due to its vital position between North Africa and Southern Europe. The island served as a base for Royal Navy submarines, air raids, and supply disruptions, withstanding over 3,000 bombing raids.
The population was awarded the George Cross for collective heroism—a legacy that remains central to Malta’s national identity.
British Military Withdrawal and Independence (1964–1979):
Following independence in 1964, British forces remained on the island until 1979, when Malta adopted a policy of non-alignment. The AFM was formally created to provide internal and coastal defense, replacing colonial-era structures.
Migration Response and Maritime Patrols (2000s–Present):
Beginning in the 2000s, Malta became a frontline state in the Mediterranean migration crisis, responding to large-scale irregular migration from Libya, Tunisia, and sub-Saharan Africa. The AFM has since conducted thousands of search and rescue missions, including some under combat-adjacent humanitarian pressure.
Participation in EU and Civil Operations:
The AFM contributes to EU missions (including EUNAVFOR MED Sophia), and supports border monitoring, disaster coordination, and maritime policing across the region. It also conducts joint exercises with countries such as Italy, France, and Spain.

Though Malta has no modern combat experience, its armed forces have become regional leaders in humanitarian security, with proven capacity in coastal operations, air-sea coordination, and resilience in complex emergencies.

General Information

Demographics and Geography

Population: ~543,000 (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~230,000
Geographic Area: 316 km²
Land Boundaries: 0 km
Bordering Countries: None (island nation)
Coastline: 196 km
Climate: Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: Mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains
Natural Resources: Limestone, arable land, offshore oil and gas potential
Proven Oil Reserves: None (exploration ongoing)
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None

Economic Indicators

Defense Budget (2025): ~$80 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~0.7%
GDP (PPP): ~$23 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$41,000
External Debt: ~$8.5 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Flat with minor increases for maritime surveillance and border protection

Military Infrastructure and Readiness

Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Maritime security, border control, EU operations
Military Industry Base: None; full reliance on imports and EU/NATO standards
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing; basic cyber defense integration with EU partners
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) unified under General Headquarters at Luqa
Missile Inventory Highlights: None; small arms, patrol ship weapons, and anti-drone systems
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~1,000

Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure

Space or Satellite Programs: No national program; participates in EU space initiatives
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Security Service under Office of the Prime Minister
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: EU, Italy, France, UK
Airports (Total): ~5
Major Military Airports: Malta International Airport (Luqa, dual-use with AFM Air Wing)

Naval Power and Maritime Logistics

Merchant Marine Fleet: Large (flag of convenience registry); few domestically operated vessels
Major Ports: Valletta, Marsaxlokk
Naval Infrastructure: Small patrol fleet under Maritime Squadron of AFM
Naval Replenishment Capability: Basic coastal logistics and patrol resupply

Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure

Railway Network: None (historically dismantled)
Roadways: ~3,000 km

Energy and Fuel Logistics

Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Heavy reliance on LNG and refined petroleum imports
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintained under EU regulations

Defense Production and Strategic Forces

Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Luqa, Hal Far, Gozo
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Occasional EU and NATO training exercises
Defense Alliances: EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), NATO Partnership for Peace
Strategic Airlift Capability: None; relies on EU/NATO logistics
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Very low