Four new patrol boats will be commissioned by the Armed Forces of Malta on Thursday.

The patrol boats were built by Australian shipyard Austal in a project of some €9.6 million project, of which 75% were provided by the EU External Borders Fund.

The boats have a displacement of 40 tons and a length of 21.2 metres, significantly larger than the two old Swift class boats they will replace. They carry a crew of eight and have a speed in excess of 26 knots.

The commissioning of the boats will be made by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at the maritime base at Haywharf, Pieta.

Video above shows the building and sea trials of the patrol boats.

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