The Armed Forces of Malta have every intention of continuing to use the Pembroke firing ranges, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri told parliament on Wednesday.

He was replying to a question by Nationalist MP Karol Aquilina.

The ranges, now mostly in a dilapidated state, go back to 1910 when they were built by the British forces. They were originally used for rifle and musket firing. 

They were later used for machine-gun firing and, for a time, for practice in the firing of rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and Bofors guns. 

There were originally up to seven ranges, some 914.5 m (1000 yards) long. Only two are now used. They are also used as assault courses. 

The Planning Authority issued a protection order for the ranges in 2010.

The British forces while based in Malta also used firing ranges overlooking Golden Bay. 

 

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