NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 25B; MALTA; TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS MILITARY GEOGRAPHY AND ARMED FORCES

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• Collection: NIS
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP01-00707R000200080036-8
• Release Decision: RIF
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• Document Page Count: 28
• Document Creation Date: October 25, 2016
• Sequence Number: 36
• Content Type: REPORTS

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f
A
1
These chapters were prepared for the NIS by the
Defense Intelligence Agency. The Transportation
and Telecommunications chapter includes a con-
tribution on airfields from the Defense Mapping
Agency, Aerospace Center, and a contribution on
merchant marine from the Department of thr Navy.
Research was substantially completed by April 1973.
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1

Malta
CONTENTS
These chapters supersede the transportation and tele-
communications, military geography, and armed foreev
coverage in the General Survey dated May 1067.
Transportation and Telecommunications
A. Appraisal 1
B. Strategic mobility 1
C. Highways 1
D. Ports 2
E. Merchant marine 4
F. Civil air 4
G. Airfields 4
II. Telecommunicatiow, 5
SECRET NO FOREIGN DIssm-f
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Military Geography
Page
Page
Armed Forces
Port of Valletta photo)
A. Introduction
17
B Malt.. Land Force
17
I. Military manpower
18
2. Strength trends
19
3. Training
19
4. Military budget
19
5. Ec. nomic support
19
6. Emergency Labor Corps
19
7. Pioneer Labor Corps
20
A. Location 9
B. Topography 9
C. Climate 10
D. Military geographic region 12
E Strategic area 13
F. Approaches 13
1. Sea 14
2. Air 15
FIGURES
Page
Fig. 1
Port of Valletta photo)
3
Fig. 2
Characteristics of port of Valletta
Valletta photo)
14
(table)
4
Fig. 3
Selected airfields (table)
5
F g. 4
General telecoramunications pattern
(map)
6
Fib. 5
Location and comparative area map)
9
Fig. 6
Stone walls in southeastern Malta
Fig.
13
(photo)
10
Fig. 7
Climatic factors chart)
11
ii
Fag(
Fig. 8
Rugged coasts photo)
14
Fig.
9
Valletta photo)
14
Fig.
10
Malta Land Force photo)
18
Fig.
11
British aircraft carrier in Grand
Harbour (photo)
18
Fig.
12
Military budgets table)
19
Fig.
13
Military geographic factors
map) follows
20
Fig.
14
Terrain and transportation map)
do
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Transp oFtation and
A. Appraisal (C)
The transportation and telecommunications
(telecom) systems adequately serve the economic
needs of the nation. Fligh,.uys afford the only means
of 1 transportation acid provide access to virtually
every town and village on the islands of Malta and
Cozo. Ferry services between these islands accomno-
(late both passengers and vehicles. Valletta.. the only
major port, and the small port of Marsaxlokk handle
all maritime cargo.
The main highways are surfaced and are in good
condition. Cn the isla;.,: of Nialta, the network is
densest in the east and sparsest in the hill\ western
region (Figure 11). The network on Cozo, although
limited, is well distributed. There is no road system on
:emmuna. With few exceptions, highways were
developed from cart tracks and gradually wi(lened as
traffic increased. Some roads, although wide enough
to accommodate two lanes of traffic for small
European vehicles, would be inadequate for military
vehicle use.
Civil aviation consists of the international transport
of passengers and cargo on commercial air carriers;
there is no domestic service. All roules of Malta
Airlines, the nation's only carrier, a re operated by the
British European Airways Corporation (BE:!). L ti(la,
the international airfield, and Hal Far, a military
field, are the only active airfields and both arc on the
island of Maity
Telecommunication facilities are of good quality
and satisfy all normal requirements. Most domestic
communications are handled by a wire telephone
system centered in Valletta on Malta and in Rabat on
Cozo. The islands are linked by submarine cables and
by radio relay, and radiocommunication stations and
submarine cables provide international telecom-
munication service.
Responsibility for transportation is vested in various
government ministries. The Ministry of Public Works
controls highway matters, the Ministry of Develop-
ment administers maritime affairs, and the Ministry of
Commonwealth and Foeign Affairs supervises civil
aviation. Telecom m tin ications are controlled partly by
Telecom munications
the Government of Malt, and partiv by private and
government interests of the United Kingdom. ;1
highway (levelopmert .end improvement program
underway since 1969 will upgrade the entire network.
Long range plans to improve telecnnurunications
have been formulated.
B. Strategic mobility (C)
The highway systcn could nut meet heavy military
demands. barge -scale movement and suppl of
military forces would be restricted by narrow and
winding roads, narrow bridges, it few sharp curves,
and narrow streets and some narrow low archways in
cities and towns. Four airfields with paved runw:ys
would provide considerable support for military
operations. Luqa can handle sistained use by 5
aircraft, and Hal Far, it military field operated by the
British Royal Air Force, can support C -1 30's.
Telecommunications are capable of supporting major
military operations; however, in the more remote
areas. wire telephone facilities are vulnerable to
sabotage.
C. Highways (C)
The basic highway network of the islands totals 76O
miles, of which 650 miles are bituminous (mostly
bituminous treatment), 80 miles arc crushed stone and
gravel, and .30 miles are improve and unimproved
earth. Because of the rocky composition of the islands.
many roads have a natural stone subbase. Roadway
widths are not uniform and range in extremes from 10
to 50 feet. Main routes, however. have widths in excess
of 20 feet and are bituminous surfaced. There are no
fixed design specifications for \Maltese roads.
'there are nine bridges, ranging from 20 to 80 feet in
length. on the islands; all are of stonemasonry or
reinforced concrete construction. Five of the bridges
are located on Malta and four are oil Gozo. All can
acconm(,date two lanes of traffic, and all have
unlimited vertical clearances. In addition, there are
about 20 short culverts on the network. The island of
Malta has two tunnels, both located at the southwest
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edge of Valletta; each is about Ill feet wide with it 12-
foot vertical clearance.
'I'll( Ministry of Public Works is responsible for
highway construction and maintenance. Although
past policy was directed largely to improving existing
roads. some new roads are under construction or
planted. The road projects are being paid for by
appropriations made front development plan funds.
Except for difficulties encountered in excavation
because of the rocky nature of the islands, there are no
unique construction problems. Suppliec, of stone,
gravel, and sand for ct ;n;traction purposes are
adequate, but some cement and all other materials
must be imported.
The current highway development program is being
carried out as part of the 'Third Development Plan
(1969 1). Major objectives of the highway )rogram
are to provide better road access to areas on Malta and
Gozo having potential importance for economic
development, including tourism, and to reliekr traffic
congestion in the urban areas ringing Valletta. Cost of
the program over the 5 -year period is estimated at
about US$10 million.
Specific projects include it ntrw road, already partly
constructed, from NIsida to Saint Georges Bay via
Gzira;' it is expected to facilitate traffic movement to
the northwest of Valletta. Another route will be
constructed front Nisida to the sonth, but will bypass
I- lamrun, a major traffic bottleneck. Part of this
project involves the construction of a large bridge in
the Nlsida area. A new road is planned from Dingli to
Zurriecl along the southwestern coast. A ties\ route
from the Hannon area will he constructed to Siggiewi;
it large bridge is required as p art of this project. In the
northwest it bypass route is planned around Mellieha
to facilitate acecs to the ferry link with Gozo. Some
new construction, widening, and realignment is also
planned for the Gozo road system. Other ro.�.ds,
especially those in the vic inity of Valle tta, are in the
process of or will be widened, realigned, and
resurf About 50 miles of existing roads that carry
heavy traffic volumes are being resurfaced with a
heavy duty bituminous surface. Although not part of
the current development program, the construction of
it bridge or tunnel between Malta and Gozo via the
island of Kemmuna is under consideration and some
preliminary surveys have been perforated. However,
the high cost of this project, estimated at abort US320
million, will probably defer construction for some
ti me.
'For diacritics on place narnes see the list of names on the apron
of the Terrain and Transportation map, the map itself, and other
reaps.
I Ighway traffic is restricted primarily by the narrow
stretches of roadway in the network, sharp carves,
some steep grades, alnd narrow village streets.
Transport operations are performed mainly by private
individuals; there are no large trucking firths or
government owned transport carriers. Approximately
600 hoses are in list-, and scheduled bus services art-
provided to most towns and villages. Animal -drawn
carts are %%idt-ly used for transporting agricultural
products front farthing areas to markets.
in early 19 there were 53,100 motor vehicles
registered, including 11,765 passenger cars and 1 1,2335
trucks and buses. No motor vehicles are manufac-
tured, but in 1969 about 650 passenger cars, trucks.
and buses were assembled: most were British made.
There were also about 2,200 assembled vehicles
imported, niosi were from the United Kingdom, and
the remainder from Nest Cermatny, Italy, and Japan.
D. Ports (C)
itilalla has one major and two minor ports. Valletta
(Figure 1), the major port, and Marsaxlokk. a minor
port, are located on the� largest island. Malta. The
minor port of Xlgarr is on the island of Gozo.
Maritime facilities at Valletta and Marsax1okk handle
all of the import- export trade. Since the islands
accloired independence, the ports have changcxl front
being mainly bases for naval vessels to commercial
complexes. Except for \tgarr on (:oz-i. the ports are
considered adequate for normal requirements. Port
administration is the responsibility of they Ministry of
Development.
Valletta is the commercial center of the islands. It
has o safe and commodious harbor with sufficient
depths for thr largest ycssels afloat. Valletta has
excellent ship repair facilities and i- the N,
Headctnarters of COMEDSOUEAST. 'There is it total
development plan for Valletta, but until this pla:, can
be implemented, only minimal modifications or
additions to existing facilities will he undertaken.
The minor port of Marsaxlokk is primarily it POI.
facility. Eventually, the a. rea is to he established as it
major free port and it Mediterranean distribution
center. Mgarr is it base for small trading vessels and
fishing boats. Facilities are insufficient to cope with
present traffic, and improvement of its harbor is
among the objectives in plans for major development
of Gozo.
Significant details of the principal port are given in
Figure 2.
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/A V
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FIGURE 1 Port of Valletta (C)

FIGURE 2. Characteristics of major port of Valletta (35 *54'N., 14 (C)
.'WrI\�rrtr:s 111 %Itlit) at nrarrt ;s
Capital, most important commercial Large, improved nutuaal harbor, Alongside- 3 large, I standard, and �1 ,nut
center, and an important ship repair
divided into two sections by the
ocean -type cargo vessels; 5 standard and 1I
center located on the NE. coast of the
Valletta promontory. The NW. sec-
small coaster -type cargo vessels; 40 lighters;
island of Malta. Limited facilities exist
tion, Marsanxett, a yacht basin, has
2 standard ocean -type tankers (alternative
for use of the Royal British Navy.
it water area of about 350 acres and
berths,; 1 standard coaster -type tanker and I
Prim�ipal receipts are textiles. metals,
general depths of 1 to 102 feet. The
alternative berth; I represonmative sound
wheat, and feed for livestock. Principal
breakaat+ r- protected SE'. seetina.
and- ricer -type tank harge; I frigate Mitsdwr
shipments are gloves, potatoes, onions,
Grand Ilurbour, :wad twain conuner-
class); I destroyer (C-mring class); 1 escort
scrap metals, and hides and skins. Port
eial section� has a water area of about
vessel Buckley class); 1 minesweeper, ocean
has 5 graving docks, the largest with a
700 acres and general depths of 10 to
(nonmagnetic); 3 gasoline (alternative
length of 962 feet, and 7 tnarirn rail-
72 feet. Approach deep and clear;
berths), (Patapsco class).
ways, each having as hauling capacity of
depths leading to berths exceed
Mooring --�1 standard and 1.1 small ocean -type
500 tans. Estimated military port
depths in berths.
cargo vessels; 3 standard and h small co aster
capacit 15,085 long tons.
type cargo vessels.
Anchorage Extensive. unprotected anchorage
S. of harbor entrance for all classes in depths
of 20 to 100 feet over good holding ground of
nand and sand.
*Nlaxinmin amount of general cargo that can be unloaded onto wharves and cleared from wharf aprons during period of one 2.1-hour
day (20 el;u tive cargo working hours). Estinnate
based on static cargo transfer facilities
of th- port existing at tinne of estimate and
designed for, comparison rather than operational
purposes; it cannot he projected beyond a single .'�t\� by straight multiplication.
E. Merchant marine (C)
The merchant fleet (ships of 1,000 g.r.t. and over)
consists of t\vo dry cargo ships totaling 3,390 g.r.t. or
4,23.1 d.\v.t. These 2,117- d.%v.t., oil -fired sister units
are� about 25 -years old and have an operating speed of
a3 knots. Both ships, Auolos and Oleos, are owned and
operated by Maltese National Lines, Ltd., and serve
ports in Malta, Belgium, E)aand, France, Italy,
Portugal, Spain, Libya, and Tunisia.
F. Civil air (C)
Malta A,irli-es is th,, only civil air operator. Formed
in 1948 as Malta Air\vays, Ltd., the present title \\�as
adopted in 1951. Maltese private interests o\vn 66c/i of
the cornpatay's stock, while the remainder is held by
the British European Air\vays Corporation (BEA).
Since 1948 BEA has operated all Malta Airlines' routes
tinder if contract \whereby BEA provides all aircraft,
operational personnel, and maintenance. Aircraft
operated by Malta Airlines have included Vickers
Viscounts and Vanguards and Ha\vkcr Siddeley
Tridents. Malta Airlines provides scheduled services
which link Malta to Rome, London, Tripoli, and.
Cantania. In addition, scheduled international service
is provided by Alitalia, Libyan Arab Airlines, Union
(le Transports Aeriens, and BEA.
Malta has no domestic civil air service and no
registered civil aircraft. Aircraft provided by BEA to
Malta Airlines cam British registry.
4
An estimated iii persons are engaged in civil
aviation activities. They are employed by Malta
Airline,, Malta International Aviation Company
(M1ACO). and the Department of Civil Aviation.
Except for a -1 -month training course conducted by
BEA for its o\\�n pilots at Lutla airfield, there is no civil
aviation training on the island. Some training for
Maltese aircrews is provided in England.
Civil aviation is regulated by the Department of
Cavil Aviation tinder the control and supervision of the
Ministry of Conunon \ve alth and I-oreign Affairs.
Malta is a member of the Internatti�.anal Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) and the International :fir
Transport Association (IA and has air agreements
or arrangements \vith at least 1.1 other countries.
G. Airfields'' (C)
The air facilities system consists of four airfields and
one seaplane station. All airfields have permanent
surfaced run\vays and are located on the island of
Malta. One of the airfields is joint civil /military, one
is military, and the other t\vo are ahandoned. 'IIakali.
an abandoned field, has a run" that can support
aircraft uh to '.he C -47 class for ein rgency landings.
Luga, the j operated airfield, is used by
For det ;ailed information on individual ;air facilities. sce olunu
1 .13.:lirfields and Seaplane Stations of the World, published by the
Defense Mapping Agency. �kerospace Ccntcr. for the Defense
Intelligence :Agency.
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FIGURE 3. Selected airfields (C)
NAME AND LOCATION
Hill Far
35 1.1 �31'F..
S. of Valletta.
I 'lt(I tl
:35 1.1
SW. of Valletta.
I.01NOF;sT nv,tt�.tr;
HVItF'ACR; I)MENSIONS;
F ;LF ;v.yrtoN Ano%
Fief
Asphalt inacadaut....
(1,000 x 150
330
Asphalt autcudanl....
1,800 x 150
300
LA Ito EWI'
AIRCHAF9'
NORMALLY
F114N'L; sum
It KMA It KS
:313,1)00 C 130......... Military. British (loyal Air Force Base. (ht it cure
and maintenance busis only. Can he operational
in 20 minutes.
1(1,000 C- 135......... Joint. Intermttional aerodrome. Total fuel storage is
1,05((,000 U.S. gallons of jet fuel and itvgas.
*Equivalent Single-Wheel Loading: Cap licit; of an airfield runway to sustain the Weight of any multiple -wheel landing -gear aircraft
in terms of the single wheel equivident.
international cominvi airlines and ;he British
Royal Air Force. It has two ninways, one of which has
it weight- hearing capacity sufficient to support
sustained operations by C -135 aircraft. Facilities
include depot maintenance. POL, and navigation and
landing aids. I lal Far, the military airfield, is operated
by the British Royal Air Force. It leis two runways,
each of which has it weight- bearing capacity sufficient
to support sustained operations of 0-1 aircraft. Ifill
Far, currently on it care and maintenance basis, can
become operational ill 20 minutes. The support
facilities at hula airfield are maintained in good
condition. "There are no knowu plans for construction
or major improvements at :toy of the airfields.
Characteristics of the Lutla and Iial Far airfields are
given in Figure 3.
H. Telecommunications (C)
The telecoln ill unications (telecom) systern is
capable of satisfying all normal requirements of the
ooyernnent and the public. Well- designed, long
range plans have peen formulated to meet it telecom
growth rate estimated at 145(' per annum. Most
domestic teiecornntlutications are handled by wire
tclepht�ne systems, which are centered in Valletta on
Malta and in Rabat on the nearby island of Gozo.
Excellent local and long distance telephone service is
provided by an automatic system on Malta that
enables most subscribers to call each other by direct
distance dialing. The islands of Malta and Gozo are
linked by a submarine cable and by a radio -relay link.
A good international service is provided by
radiocommunication stations and submarine cables. A
few radiobroadcast stations, augmented by it wired
network, provide coverage for all population centers.
Malta's telecom system, though small, compares well
with the systems operated by Luxembourg, Iceland, or
Portugal. "1'he major elements of the telecom network
are shown in Figure 4.
'I'll(- Ministry of C ^velopinent regulates public
service telecom facilities; it owns the domestic
telephone facilities and delegates their operation to
the Posts and "Telephones Department. All public
international communication installation~ are owned
and operated by a British commercial company, Cable
and Wireless, Ltd. The Maltese Broadcasting Atithor-
ity is an independent government agency which
regulates and supervises radiobroadcast and TV
operations.
The domestic telephone system serves most localities
on Malta and Gozo. Long- distance circuits are mainly
underground cables, and local distribution networks
are overhead open -wire lilies. No line repeater stations
are used, and tl.e condition of the outside plant
equipment is generally good. A submarine inulticon-
ductor cable with 14 to 2 -1 pairs connects Malta with
Cozo via Kemrrtuna, extensions of this submarine
cable continue into the central telephone exchanges in
Valletta and Rabat (Gozo). Nlost telephone traffic
between the two islands is now carried by it 62-
channel. 7 gigahertz radio -relay link connecting
Naxxar with Rabat (Gozo). 'Telephone facilities are
concentrated in and near Valletta, which has about
30 of the country's estimated 45,000 telepiunes.
Valletta has it 10Ax10 -line automatic exchange, and
nearby Sliema has ti 7,000 -line automatic exchange.
Integrated into the system are fully automatic satellite
exchanges at Birkirkara. Birzebbuga. Rabat (Gozo).
Rabat (Malta), and San Pawl il- Bahar, and a manual
exchange at Marsa. "There is no domestic telegraph
system; all telegrams are transmitted via telephone
circuits.
Very good international service is furnished by
radiocommunication stations, a coaxial subin trine
telephone cable, and by seven single- channel
5
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Marsallorn
GOZO
Gfiar
Zabat
Munxar
t ir-Rummien
~Mgarr
KEMMUNA
L GIBRALTAR
!P onta tai�Marta
Myabba Marsaxlokk o
a
FIJ
N.gred o Bnzebbug 0
Benghisa PONTA TA'
DELIMARA
FIGURE 4. General telecommunications pattern (C)
submarine telegraph cables. The international
facilities of Cable and Wireless, Ltd., are located in
Valletta (control station), San Giljan (transmitter
station), and Ta Wied Rini (receiver station). Direct
telephone, telegraph, telex, and facsimile circuits are
operated to the United Kingdom, and thence to mane
world points. The coaxial cable vLrries 36 telephone
channels between San Giljan and Pozz_tllo, Sicily. The
telegraph cables connecting Malta with Gibraltar and
Libya terminate at Saint Georges Bay and San Giljan.
Malta is connected to the international telex net\vork
and has about 83 local subscribers on the two main
islands. Semiautomatic dial telephone service is
available into Malta from eight European countries,
the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Special purpose f acilities include coastal, aeronauti-
cal, police, and military radiocommunication stations.
Coastal stations are operated at San Giljan by Cable
and Wireless, Ltd., and at Rinella by the British
Admiralty. Aeronautical stations, which provide both
domestic and international service, are operated by
6
Melliefia
San Pawl
il�Bafiar
\Gfiargfiur St Georges
Bayer.�
Ta' Wied Rini
c 0
POZZALLO.
ITALY
MALTA
Z
u'
zm
m
cxav �Sliema
Buknkara 4VALLETTA
Rinellao
Allard
Rabat Marsa BOrmla t
Rafial Marsaskala�
Dmgb Luda Gdld
Slgglewi Zeltuno
International Aeradio, Ltd. (United Kingdom), at Ta
\Vied Rini and Benghisa. The \Malta police have a
fixed and nubile very-high-frequency 01I1') network
with the control station, in II- Furjana, it western
suburb of Valletta. The United Kingdom Defence
Forces operate NATO- affiliated lad ioc'onnronication
facilities at Benghisa l:inella. Siggiewi. and 7_ebbug.
Excellent rLdiobroadcast and limited TV coverage is
provided by three AN/I, two F \1 and one TV st'.ttion.
Radio Malta, a subsidiary of tile: \'lalta 'Television
Service, Ltd., operaates a new AM transmitter (20 kw.,
mediumwave) at Nigred; an FM transmitter
collocated \yith the main studios at Gwardamanga
near Valletta; and the only T\' transmitter, located at
Gharghur. The latter operates on Channel 10, using
European standards. An extensive wire broadcast
service is operated by Rediffusion (Malta), Ltd., from
studios in Valletta; this service reaches nearly 60,000
wired sets on Malta and Gozo. International
broadc.r,ts in several languages are provided by a new
20 k\v. transmitter operated by Oeutsche 1,1 at
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Multiconductor cable
Open wire (carrier)
Submarine cable (coaxial)
,.z,.
Number of cables
Submarine cable
Radio relay
International radiocomniumcation
Military radiocommdnicatlon
v
Aeronautical radiocommunication
U
Coastal radiocommunication
AM broadcast
i
FM broadcast
TV broadcast
International broadcast
Myabba Marsaxlokk o
a
FIJ
N.gred o Bnzebbug 0
Benghisa PONTA TA'
DELIMARA
FIGURE 4. General telecommunications pattern (C)
submarine telegraph cables. The international
facilities of Cable and Wireless, Ltd., are located in
Valletta (control station), San Giljan (transmitter
station), and Ta Wied Rini (receiver station). Direct
telephone, telegraph, telex, and facsimile circuits are
operated to the United Kingdom, and thence to mane
world points. The coaxial cable vLrries 36 telephone
channels between San Giljan and Pozz_tllo, Sicily. The
telegraph cables connecting Malta with Gibraltar and
Libya terminate at Saint Georges Bay and San Giljan.
Malta is connected to the international telex net\vork
and has about 83 local subscribers on the two main
islands. Semiautomatic dial telephone service is
available into Malta from eight European countries,
the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Special purpose f acilities include coastal, aeronauti-
cal, police, and military radiocommunication stations.
Coastal stations are operated at San Giljan by Cable
and Wireless, Ltd., and at Rinella by the British
Admiralty. Aeronautical stations, which provide both
domestic and international service, are operated by
6
Melliefia
San Pawl
il�Bafiar
\Gfiargfiur St Georges
Bayer.�
Ta' Wied Rini
c 0
POZZALLO.
ITALY
MALTA
Z
u'
zm
m
cxav �Sliema
Buknkara 4VALLETTA
Rinellao
Allard
Rabat Marsa BOrmla t
Rafial Marsaskala�
Dmgb Luda Gdld
Slgglewi Zeltuno
International Aeradio, Ltd. (United Kingdom), at Ta
\Vied Rini and Benghisa. The \Malta police have a
fixed and nubile very-high-frequency 01I1') network
with the control station, in II- Furjana, it western
suburb of Valletta. The United Kingdom Defence
Forces operate NATO- affiliated lad ioc'onnronication
facilities at Benghisa l:inella. Siggiewi. and 7_ebbug.
Excellent rLdiobroadcast and limited TV coverage is
provided by three AN/I, two F \1 and one TV st'.ttion.
Radio Malta, a subsidiary of tile: \'lalta 'Television
Service, Ltd., operaates a new AM transmitter (20 kw.,
mediumwave) at Nigred; an FM transmitter
collocated \yith the main studios at Gwardamanga
near Valletta; and the only T\' transmitter, located at
Gharghur. The latter operates on Channel 10, using
European standards. An extensive wire broadcast
service is operated by Rediffusion (Malta), Ltd., from
studios in Valletta; this service reaches nearly 60,000
wired sets on Malta and Gozo. International
broadc.r,ts in several languages are provided by a new
20 k\v. transmitter operated by Oeutsche 1,1 at
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e?
r
f'
Nigred. A low- powereu FM station is operated by tic
British Forces Broadcasting Service. In mid -1972, an
estimated 80,000 radiobroadcast receivers and 65,000
TV receivers re ill use,.
No clinwtic or geographic factors significantl
affect the development of telecommunications, and
most of the intercity telephone network is in the form
of bnried cables, which ,-educes vulnerability to
sabotage. Also, the increasing complexity of tilt-
Maltese telecom network provides a growing number
of alternate routes for both domestic an(I international
services.
Malta has no capabilit to manufacture or assemble
telecom equipment. 'I he United Kingdom lias
supplied virtually all of the equipment in use,
including all military telecom gear. In recent years,
sonic VIII police equipment was purchased from
Philips (Netherlands), and AEG- Telefunken (West
Germany) supplied the brow equipment for the
Nigred station.
Malta appears to have an adequate supply of
trained technicians and operators to maintain its
growing telecom network. Selected personnel have
attended the Cable an d Wireless, Ltd. telecom college
in the United Kingdom, a id the Malta College of
Arts, Sciences, and 'Technology offers certificate and
degree courses in electrical engineering.
The Third Development Plan (1969 -7.1) calls for
.33,300 telephone lines in installed capacitor by the end
of 197 -1. Plans have been finalized for a radio -relay
link to Sicily with an initial capacity of 180 telephone
channels.
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Military Geography
A. Location (U /OU)
The Maltese Islands are strttegicalk. located near
tau� narrows of the central Medilerrane,ut Sea.
'between Sicily and North Afri:a. vlalta, the largest
island, is only 50 nautical miles south of Sicily and
about 165 nautical stiles east of 'Tunisia and lies at the
eastern entr nce of the iS nautic�al -stile "waist of the
Meditt-rrutean Sea (Figure o).
The total area of the Maltese Islan!, is 121 scivare
miles, about one -tenth tilt. size of 1111"de Island. NI'llta
has an area of 95 sduare Miles, Go .o has an area of 25
square miles, and Kemniuna and it fey very small
uninhabited islands have it total area of I scivare mile.
The three main islands are rotghly oval- shaped, huVc
a northwest southeast orientation, and extt.ncl ovvr it
distance of 27.5 miles.:' 'I'll(- maxiini:m dimensions of
"Distanc are in statute t -ties unless nautical miles are
spc(ificall% stated.
the ishilld of Malta are about 17.5 miles ill length and
slightly over S piles in width; Gozo is about 9 miles
long and �1.5 stiles wide. The total population of the�
Mullese Islands, about .302,000, is a little more than
one third that o lihode Island.
B. Topography (U /OU)
The 'Ntallese Islands are mostly logy, rocky, flat to
dissected plains (I igur(- Ii). The central and
settheastern parts of Nlalta consist of a lo%%, nearly
IcVt.l, eastward sloping plain interrupted in places b,�
generally n arrow. steep -sided valleys. A higher. nostiv
dissected plain, bordered by a line of steep slopes,
donttnatcs the western part. "I'll(- northwestern part of
the island, composed of dissected plains characterized
by parallel ridges and Valleys, is separated front the
rest of the island by it north- facing escarpment, rtust
of it slicer precipice, which extends geeerally cast -west
p..9
Maki r
j i
AFRICA
Woonsocwet
d Putnam
Providence
Rhode
Island
i
501770 5.73
FIGURE 5. Location and comparative area (U /OU)
9
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across the entire island. 'I'll(- plains of Gozo, and
Kenununa arc mostly rolling to dissected, and those of
Cozo arc broken in places by deep, narrow valleys and
low, steep- sided, flat topped hills.
Most elevations on Malta are between 100 and -100
feet; however, the area of high ground in the west is
mostly between 600 and 800 feet, and near the
southwest coast the isl and rises to 829 feet, the highest
elevation in the islands. On Gozo, elevations are
between 200 and -100 feet, but several hills in the
western part of the island arc ove 500 feet and the
highest is 638 feet. The highest elevation on
Kennuma is 245 feet. Slopes arc commonly less than
5% on the flat to rolling plains of southeastern Malta
and southern Gozo and more than SO o in the
dissected areas of both islands and on Kennnuna.
'['here are many cliffs, mainly on the coasts. Local
relief (differences in elevation between tops and
bottoms of adjacent topographic features) is generally
less than 100 feet in the flat to rolling plains, mostly
200 to -150 feet in the dissected plains, and slightly
over 500 feet in the hills of Gozo.
There is very_ little natural vegetation on the
Maltese Islands. Both Malta and Gozo are intensively
cultivated. Field crops consist mainly of small grail s,
predominantly wheat, and less extensively of sulla, a
forage crop. Vegetables are grown in gardens around
villages, and irrigated crops arc grown locally in some
valleys. Fruit trees and grape vines arc planted in
sheltered places, mainly in valleys or near stone walls.
Throughout the islands, vegetation is most luxuriant
during March and April.
Kemniuna has no strcam and there arc no
perennial streams on any of the other islands. All
stream courses are dry except for short periods
following heavy winter rains, but even following these
rains flooding is not extensive. On Malta, most of the
major stream courses originate near the southwest
coast and trend generally northeastward. On Gozo,
stream courses generally form a radial pattern. The
stream courses are generally in deep, narrow, steep
sided valleys; however, the lower parts of many valftys
on Malta are wider and have low, gently sloping sides.
Streambanks are commonly steep and rocky, and
bottoms are mostly rocky. There are seve ral springs on
Malta and a few on Gozo.
Culture features form it dense pattern on Malta and
Gozo, especially on the flat to rolling plains in
southeastern Malta. The significant features arc
villages, stone walls, terraces, and quarries. Nearly all
buildings are constructed of brick or limestone and
have flat roofs. Town streets are narrow, and Valletta
and some of the smaller towns are enclosed by walls of
FIGURE 6. Prevalent throughout the Maltese Islands are
stone walls surrounding small fields, forming boundaries,
and paralleling most roads. They vary in size but
generally are several feet wide and mostly 5 or 6 feet
high; some may be as much as 10 feet high. (U /OU)
stone or brick. Ficids arc small and generally are
separated by walls of loosely piled stones (Figure 6); in
most places these arc 5 or 6 feet high, but some are
several feet thick and as much as Ill feet high. On
ridges and valley sides, crops arc grown on terraces
that have stone retaining walls. Malta and Cozo are
linked by it sea ferry and have extensive networks of
mostly bitnninous- treated roads. The main roads
general[}' are two lanes .wide. 'There are no railroads.
C. Climate (U /OU)
o.
The climate, typically Mediterranean, is charac-
terized by mild, rainy winters (December through
March) and hot, dry sum-ners (Jim(- through
September). The remaining months are transitional.
These climatic regines result from the many lows
migrating through or stagnating near the islands in
.winter and from the controlling influence of the
Azores high in summer.
Aver annual rainfall ranges from about 19 to 26
inches (Figure 7). Annual umonnts may vary
considerably from year to year, and, on occasion,
drought years are recorded. Mean monthly amounts
arc greatest, 3 to -1 inches, during the period October
through January, and minimum rainfall is observed in
May throlgh August, when mean amounts are inch
or less. Mean monthly cloudiness varies from less than
20% cloud cover in July and August to about 55% in
December through February. Skies arc frequently
cloudless in summer, and overcast conditions are not
widespread in winter except daring periods of
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r:
{t
LUCIA
m
77T
I I,
PERCENT 100
I j
!:l
.i
r
80
I� �i
i�
60 TO 80
60
60
24
22 2a
22
?0
20 )24 .2 23
22
o 'f
22 22
C J VALLETTA
20
LUCIA
v
22
22
20
MEAN ANNUAL PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
MEAN CLOUDINESS
TIMES SHOWN LST
LUCIA
m
77T
I I,
PERCENT 100
I j
80
.i
80
I� �i
i�
60 TO 80
60
60
�i I
I i
I i
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM
40
I
I�I
I� i ABSOI.LIIE MINIMUM
20
�L�
1
m
M
ELEV. 299 FT.
oidaavo
�w �iii
TEMPERATURES (�F)
Fii �mmmmmmm
LIEkL
-M
a
mmm �mm�
mm
MEAN CLOUDINESS
TIMES SHOWN LST
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY
TIMES SHOWN LST
PERCENT
50
30 TO 50
30
LUOA
10
s I ,ilill
1j lil
0 1 FN.AM I I I SON
MEAN MONTHLY PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
LUCIA VALLETTA
30 W I N
20 il li 20 I i
10- 10
'I
0 JFMAMJJASOND 0 JFMAMJJ4SOND
MEAN NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
PRECIPITATION 0 004 INCH
lUOA
OI
n
MEAN THUNDERSTORM DAYS
LUCIA
m
77T
I I,
PERCENT 100
I j
80
.i
80
I� �i
i�
60 TO 80
60
60
�i I
I i
I i
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM
40
I
I�I
I� i ABSOI.LIIE MINIMUM
20
1 F JASON
ELEV. 299 FT.
oidaavo
�w �iii
TEMPERATURES (�F)
Fii �mmmmmmm
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY
TIMES SHOWN LST
PERCENT
50
30 TO 50
30
LUOA
10
s I ,ilill
1j lil
0 1 FN.AM I I I SON
MEAN MONTHLY PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
LUCIA VALLETTA
30 W I N
20 il li 20 I i
10- 10
'I
0 JFMAMJJASOND 0 JFMAMJJ4SOND
MEAN NUMBER OF DAYS WITH
PRECIPITATION 0 004 INCH
lUOA
OI
n
MEAN THUNDERSTORM DAYS
VALLETTA
120 r-
100 j
80 I 'I�i j�I I I
AO-, ,'�I�I ja
I1 i
Y0
II i ll,f
JFMAMI JASON
ELEV. 193 FT.
JRE 7. Precipitation, cloudiness, thunderstorm days, relative humidity, and temperatures (U /OU)
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LUCIA
120-
77T
I I,
PERCENT 100
I j
80
.i
80
I� �i
i�
60 TO 80
60
60
�i I
I i
I i
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM
40
I
I�I
I� i ABSOI.LIIE MINIMUM
20
1 F JASON
ELEV. 299 FT.
TEMPERATURES (�F)
VALLETTA
120 r-
100 j
80 I 'I�i j�I I I
AO-, ,'�I�I ja
I1 i
Y0
II i ll,f
JFMAMI JASON
ELEV. 193 FT.
JRE 7. Precipitation, cloudiness, thunderstorm days, relative humidity, and temperatures (U /OU)
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1
stagnated lows and frontal systems. 'I'huncderstorns
and accompanying turbulence, icing k onditions, and
heave rain or hail are associated most often with
frontal passages during the autumn transition and
winter seasons. About three- fourths of the annual 20 to
30 thunderstorms occur daring this period. '111
generally excellent visibility is interrupted for brief
periods by rain showers or early morning fog. Even so,
visibility seldom is restricted to less than 2 miles.
The molt! rating influence of the iviediterranean Sea
is reflected in the comparatively small (for this
latitude) diurnal and annual range of temperature.
tvleaii daily maximum temperatures ar^ mostly in the
lo'.v to middle 80's �F.) in summer and near 60 �F. in
wither. Mean daily nuninum;s arc in the middle 60's
to low 70's in summer and near 50 �F. in winter.
Extremes of 106 and 34 have been recorded.
Relative humidity varies slightly throughout the year,
with mean morning values rang;ng from 75% to near
90% and afternoon values mostly from 55% to 75r.
Surface winds prevail from the west or north%%est
throughout the year and are generally light; mean
monthly speeds are less than 15 knots. On occasion,
moist southeasterly sirocco winds bring widespread
low stratus clouds, heavy dew, and sometimes heavy
rains. Less frequently, southerly or southwesterly
winds may come as a hot, dust laden, dry sirocco
which, when strong, shrivels vegetation and creates an
almost unbearable climatic condition. The islands also
arc subject in winter to the gregale, it strong wind from
the northeast often lasting for 2 or 3 days. Land and
sea breezes are most prominent in summer. At times,
afternoon sea breezes from the north coast and south
coast meet in the center of the main island and form it
line of convergence that may produce stationary
clouds, with tops to 10,000 feet, and rain showers.
D. Military geographic region (C)
T!re Vlaltesc Islands comprise one military
geographic region. The combination of environmental
conditions within the country would have it relatively_
uniform effect on military operations.
In all of the islands, conditions are generally
unfavorable for ground operations. Cross- country
movement of vehicles would be hindered even in the
areas of flat plains by the dense network of stone walls
which enclose the small fields and parallel the roads.
These walls, many of which wonld he difficult to
breach, would compartmentalize movement. Steep,
terraced or rockstrewn slopes are a hindrance in the
dissected areas of western and northern Malta and in
the hifiv and dissected areas of Cozo. Cliffs on Gozo
12
and in northern and western Malta arc ohstacles.
Although swollen streans would hinder niovenienl for
only short periods immediately after heavy rains, the
generally steep, rocky streanbanks are year -round
huudrances. Soft, wet soils would he a problem for
short periods during winter. Obstacles to cross country
movement are insignificant in central Cozo and in the
valleys of northern Malta, although exit from these
small areas would commonly he very difficult. The
dense networks of mostly hitnminous- treated roads on
Malta and Colo would not s heavy traffic;
trial y are narrow and winding. Off -road vehicular
dispersal would he impossible in many places
of the stone walls. The flat to rolling plains on M it!ta
and Cozo are generally welf snited fur m d
construction, although clearing of numerous stone
walls would be necessary. Alignments generally would
he till rest ricted, and little grading or bridging would
be necessary. Natural foundations and drainage are
mostly good, and rock suitable for crushing is
available in most places. limited supplies of water for
construction arc available from ground sources. Must
of the dissected plains are moderately well suited for
road construction. Slopes generally range from 7i to
10 r but may exceed 30r in places and would restrict
alignments. Small amounts of grading would be
necessary and, although grading is moderately easy.
drilling and blasting of rock may be required in places.
A moderate number of bridges or culverts .would be
necessary to cross narrow, steep walled valleys.
Natural foundations fire fair to good, and sand and
gravel and rock for crushing are generally available.
The steep coastal slopes along the western and
southern coasts of Malta and the steel) hills in western
Cozo arc poorly suited for road construction. New
roads would require many steep grades curd sharp
curves, extensive cut and fill, and much drilling and
blasting. Concealment from air observation is lacking,
but concealment from ground observation and
excellent cover from flat trajectory fire would he
afforded by surface irregularities and by limestone
quarries, .which .ire scattered throughout the islands;
the numerous stone walls that surround most fields
also provide some cover. 'I'll(- Maltese Islands are
generally unsuited for the construction of hunker -type
installations [)(,Caul` Of shallOW soils; however. tunnel
type installations could he constructed in many places,
mostly in the dissected and hilly areas. Although
excavation would he moderately difficult, the Kest
sites are on the coastal slopes and cliffs of southwestern
Malta, "where the pock stands well .without support and
entries would be short and rock cover adequate.
Elsewhere, excavation would generally be easy, but
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construction of funnel -type installations would
conini my recpuin long entries 'o obtain adequate
cover. Limestone caves are numerous on Malta and
Gozo, especially in western Malta and in the east -west
escarpment that crosses the central part of the island.
\Many of those on Malta have been improved and
used for military installations.
Altho;igh there are numerous sites for Helicopter
landings in the flat to rolling areas, most parts of the
islands are poorly suited for airborne and airmobile
operations. Fe \v sites arc suitable for parachute
landings: slopes more than :30% are common in the
dissected and hill\ areas, and the flat to rolling areas
generally have numerous villages and closely spaced
stone walls. The best sites for parachute landings and
th-� only sites suitable for landing assault -type aircraft
arc the existing airfields in southeastern Malta. The
flat to gently rolling plains in central and southeastern
`lalta are moderately suited for airfield construction.
Slopes are generally less than Sic, relief is slight, and
only moderate amounts of gradin would be
necessary: however, numerous stone walls would have
to be removed, and runway alignments and lengths
would be restricted in places by steep -sided valleys
and by villages. Air approaches would he slightly
restricted by ridges to the north and west. The soil has
generally good hearing strength and fair wearing
properties. Coarse fill and stone for crushing are
available in most places, but sand and gravel would
have to be transported from surrounding areas, and
curly it limited amount of water is available from wells
and springs Small airfields could easily he constructed
in several small, nearly level areas in northern Malta
and central Gozo, but runway lengths, alignments,
and air approaches would be restricted b nearby hills
and ridges. Elsewhere, airfield construction would
generally be infeasible because of steep slopes.
The islands are poorly suited for irregular force
operations. Concealment from air observation would
be extremely limited, and supplies of water, shelter
materials, and firewood are scarce. Trees are almost
entirely lacking except for scattered clumps of
evergreen scrub along some valleys awl shall scattered
citrus groves. Concealment from air observation would
he limited to buildings, which are most numerous in
the southeastern part of Malta, and to the caves on
Malta and Cozo. In contrast, concealment from
ground observation would be good throughout the
islands because of the surface irregularities, limestone
quarries, and stone walls. The lack of perennial
supplies of surface water would make irregular forces
dependent on undergrotn;ci sources for fresh water.
Malta and Gozo arc densely populated, and the
numerous towns and villages are interconnected by a
close network of roads on Malta and an open but well
distributed road network on Gozo. On Keni n ina the_
population is sparse and there is no road network.
Grains, vegetables, and fruits are readily available on
the intensively cultivated islands of Malta and Gozo.
Conditions are favorable for supplying irregular forces
by air and sea.
The coasts of the islands arc unsuited for large-scale
amphibious operations. Beaches are few, and the
coastal terrain consists nntslly of steep, rocky
headlands and ridges which have sloping rock shelves
and precipitous cliffs (Figure 8). Although the offshore
approaches are generally clear, the nearshore
approaches are partly obstructed by a few small
islands, rocks. shoals, and shifting sandbars. Exits from
the beaches would be difficult in most places.
E. Strategic area (C)
The island of Malta �the only strategic area in the
Maltese Islands� contains Valletta (population
10,465) (Figure 9), the capital and largest town; the
only harbor; all of the airfields: and over 905c' of the
population. Ships of any size can be accommodated in
the large natural harbor at Valletta, and the port
contains one of the major ship repair facilities in the
Mediterranean. A minor port at Nlarsaxlokk
(population 1,525) handles imports and transship-
ments of POL (petroleum fuels, oil, and lubricants)
products. POL storage facilities on the island have a
capacity of about 2,:89,000 barrels of
products. Air facilities consist of' two active and two
inactive airfields. The largest active airfield is it joint
civil/ military and international aerodrome located
near Luga about 3 miles southwest of Valletta. The
other active field, Hal Far, is about 6 miles south of
Valletta and is a military facilit�, on a care and
maintenance basis only but caul be operational in ?t)
minutes. Malta has telecommunication facilities that
can provid, an aitcrnate communications link
between Europe and North Africa. The principal
industries are small and primarily concerned with food
processing and the production of beverages, cigars and
cigarettes, textiles, footwear, and furniture.
F. Approaches
File Maltese Islands have it total of 81 miles of
coastline and claim jurisdiction over territorial waters
for 6 nautical miles and exclusive fishing rights for 12
nautical miles. Indented by nuni roes bays and coves,
l
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i
y w.--
FIGURE From ;rreyular, rocky
shores, which are typical of the
islands, the terrain rises steeply to
flay to rolling uplands. The uplands
are primarily cultivated, terraced,
and in places deeply cut by wadies.
There are few coastal roads. (C)
.F s
emu.
t
FIGURE 9. Valletta is the ;principal maritime center in the Maltese Islands. Its improved
natural harbor can accommodate commercial and naval vessels of any size. (U OU)
the c�1n1,ts art c�h;lrncicrizecl !1% ,teen, T, ;11X1
,1ophig r11c1< dick I� i t 01' i
1. `ca (C)
Sca% %iir I 111 the 5- 1;,Ilt .1 rtlrw� the 1111,h1 n
appro ;wlic ;1re nu1,11.\ cicel; ;n1cl cic;lr: 1I
,h11rv\%:trc1 the r1e;lr ;IpplOac�hc ;1rr Irlrtl�,
11h,tr11ctccl h, ;1 11- ,111;111 i,l;lucl r11ck,. h11;11 :intl
'hillill' :111clh;u" \c:1r h1u"c h0U11111 1n:ltcri:ll i
111;1i11k :1 mi\lurc 111 ,n11cl and \011 nlucl :1ncl
n1rk in 111;1cr I idl ;11'c ,clnicliiii ;ll. ;1n1! the Brink
r;1nk1� i, Ic� Ih;111 I 111(1t ti11r1 I Icct M' hikhcr 111:1\
uccilr Jt ;111\ link ;111111_' 1u1pr11tceleil Irctche ul (-();1
i111t i, 11111 (rcll11rnl in I chru;ln. Midi il 11cc11r :11111111
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23% of the time. 'rhe bcst of the fc, hcachcs cm the
islands are along the northern and northwestern coasts
of Malta and the northern coast of Gozo. Exits from
most beaches would be by cross country movement,
tracks, or trails.
The amphibious landing area on the north coast of
Malta ill Mcllieha Bay (Figure 1.3) provides the hest
access to the Malta Strategic Area. It has a length of
530 Wards, all usable, and mostly clear offshore
approaches. In the ncarshore, approaches are partly
obstructed by rocks and shoals and the bottom consists
of sand, gravel, and some scattered bou4lers;' bottorn
slopes would generally permlit dry -ramp LST landings.
Tides are semidiurnal, but the spring range is only 0.6
foot. Surf 4 feet or higher occurs infrequently. Except
for mixtures of sand and gravel in places, the peach
comsiste of sand that is firm in the wetted area and soft
dry. Beach widths range from 40 to 45 yards at
logy water to approximately 0 yards .t high water,
and gradients arc, steep to moderate between the logy
water and high water lines and are mostly steep in the
high water zone. The beach is backed it most places
by a low road embankment, which in turn is hacked
by an intensively cultiv-rted, flat valley floor
contairl"4r, many stone fences ari a few craterlikc
depressions. Exit from the beach is inunediately onto a
surfaced road that leads to Mcllieha, 1,:500 yards to
the south; from Mcllieha, surfaced roads lead to the
principal towns oll the island.
2. Air (U /OU)
Air approaches from the south are over central and
southeastern Tmnis`a, northwestern Libya, and the
Mediterranean Sea, and from the north are over the
southern Italian mainland, Sicily, northern 'Tunisia,
and the Mediterranean Sea. There are fewer
topographic hazards in the southern approaches, arid,
although weather conditions are favorable for flying
throughout most of the year in all approaches, they are
'The discussion zone for air approaches extends approxinuacls
300 nautical miles beyond the shores of Malta.
more favorable daring \lay throngh September arid
are hest in the south.
In the southern approaches in summer. clear skies or
scattered clouds prevail, and turbulence is light except
in occasional thunderstorms over the African coast.
The weather is less favorable in winter, when cyclonic
storms and associated frontal !,ystenls cause extensive
cloudiness, rain showers, thunderstorms with
associated turbulence, moderate to severe icing, and
occasional dnststonns and sandstorms. 'I'll(- annual
number of thunderstorm days decreases southward
from near 20 to less than five. `taxinurm
thunde rstorm activity ove water is largely confined to
the autumn transition and winter seasons, while over
the African coast it is largely confincd to late summer
and a(itumn. The average height of the freezing level
ranges from about 7.500 feet in winter to near 16,000
feet ill sullnuel. I r -wr winds are generally westerly all
year at levels to i,f)00 feet. Mean speeds increase
"yith height to maximums at 40,000 to 45,000 feet;
highest mean speeds of 60 to 80 knots occur in .sinter
at these levels.
In the northern approaches, weather conditions are
hest in late spring and summer, when scattered
cumulus clouds and little or no turbulence prevail and
only a fey scattered showers and isolated thun-
derstorm; occur. The most hazardous weather for
flying occurs in autumn and winter. cyclonic activity
increases. bringing widespread cloudiness and lower
ceilings, numerous showers. and moderate to severe
turbulence and icing conditions.. "I'hunderstorrns.
occurring on 10 to 35 clays annnally. are more
numerous and most severe during these seasons. The
large vi;riation in the number of annual thunderstorms
is due to the diverse topography of Sicily arid southern
Italy. The mean height of the freezing level ranges
from near 6,000 feet in winter to near 16,000 feet in
summer. Upper -level winds to 55,000 feet are
predominantly westerly in all seasons. Mean spec
increase with height to maximums at 40,(x10 to 45,000
feet; strongest winds occur in Februarv, when mean
speeds of 50 to 65 knots occur at these levels.
15
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t
i
Armed Farces
A. Introduction
The Malta Armed F aces Act of 28 August 1970
provides for the Governor General of 'Malta raising an
armed force for the purpose of national defense,
fishery protection and smuggling prevention in the
Maltese territorial waters, assisting the Malta police in
providing internal securih, and providing it search
and rescue service. The force, known as tlc Vlalta
Land Force (M LF), consists of approximately 680
volunteer, full -time. uniformed personnel The V1,Y
alone has no capability to resist an invasion by the
armed forces of any of Malta's neighbors. (C)
On 26 March 1972 Malta signed the current
agreement with the United Kingdom for tale use of
military facilities in %Ialta "for the defence purpose of
the United Kingdom and the North Atlantic Treaty
Organisation. In return the United Kingdom
agreed to pay an annual rental. Although the
agreement was signed only by the United Kingdom
and Malta, several NA'T'O members, chiefly the
United States, Italy, and West Germany, contribute to
the annual rental making payment directly to the
United Kingdom. The agreement Includes provision
for the use of the U.K. installations by certain NA'T'O
allies, while denying the use of the facilities to the
Warsaw Pact countries. (S)
British forces were almost completely withdrawn
from Malta during the period of negotiation of the
new agreement. Their return was completed on 12
October 1972. Currently the British forces consist of a
Royal Navy shore contingent of 400 British and 200
locally enlisted personnel located at Fort St. Angelo,
II- Birgu; a Royal Marine Commando (battalion) of
9(x1 at St. Andrews Barracks, northwest of Sliema; a
Royal Signals company of 110 (a British Army
clement) at Mtarfa; and a Royal Air Force contingent
of 1,100 British and 500 locally enlisted personnel
comprising a photographic reconnaissance squadron
and a long -range maritime reconnaissance squadron
at Luga airfield." Flag Officer Malta. Royal Navy, is
also NATO MMMSOUEAST and has a small
headcluarte�rs at Valletta. (S)
A 10 -year Mutual Defense and Assistance
Agreement between the United Kingdom and Malta
became effective upon Maltese independence on 21
September 1961. It permitted the United Kingdom to
maintain forces in Vlalta and committed the British to
the defense of the country. On April 1965 the United
Kingdom turned over to Vlalta three mart -time,
volunteer territorial battalions. These were later
reduced to two.' On 1 October 1970 the regular force of
the Malta Land Force was organized (Figure 10) from
the former British Colonial Royal Malta Artillery,
which the United Kingdom had disestablished. Wilen
the Malta Labor Part\ led by Dom Mintoff c�ante to
power on 17 June 1971, Mintoff as Prime Minister let
his dissatisfaction with the Mutual Defense and
Assistance Agreement be known. After expelling, the
NATO Commander (an Italian). Naval Farces
Southern Europe, and threatening to expel the British.
the current agreement for British use of facilities in
Malta (Figure 1 1 was negotiated and signed on 26
March 1972. The agreement is scheduled to be in force
until March 1979. For what appeared to be reasons of
economy, Vlalta disestablished the two part -time
reserve battalions on I April 1972, leaving only the
active Malta Land Force. (U %OU)
B. Malta Land Force`
While Malta's armed forces arc raised by the
Governor General in the name of the Queen, supreme
authority over them resides with the Prime Minister,
"For information oo airfields see the Transportation and
Telecornmunications chapter of this General Sorvey, as well as
Volume 13, Airfields and Seaplane Stations of the World. published
by the Defense Mapping Agency, Aerospace Center, for the Defense
Intelligence Agency.
"For current detailed information see ,11ilitary Intelligence
Summary, published by the Defense Intelligence Agency.
rh
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gos.d1 It
1
e.:i.
i.
1 1
FIGURE 10. Queen Elizabeth II presents colors to
Malta Land Force unit (U /OU)
%vho mlains the (lefense portfolio in his own ol�fice.
Day to (lav supervision of the force is carried out b%
the Assistant Secretary for 1)e4ense and Internal
Security. 'Iht (;on lilt nder, X 1.1', is it brigadier wFo
has it snutll staff of about iU officers and enlisted tuen.
(U /(W)
Under the command of the X411', there is one
tactical battalion sized unit (600 personnel) consisting
cif it head(luarters battery, an air defense artillery
battery, an infantry company. it maritime troop, and
an air troop. In addition, thcrc is it service support unit
%vilich contains engineers in addition to logistical
personnel. The air defense battery is armed with �Il)-
nun air defense guns, and the maritime troop operates
five fast patrol craft. 'I'll( air troop in cooperation Nvith
tlc X Police Department operates four Bell �1
helicopters obtained fron Nest Germany. As in the
case of the patrol craft. the helicopters are under the
c