Momentum calls for increased defence spending to maintain neutrality

Momentum has called for increased defence spending while pointing to broken equipment and “out of date” strategies.

In a statement issued on the morning of Freedom Day in Malta, the political party said that while it was “proud” of the country’s choice to adopt neutrality following the departure of the last British naval vessel in 1979, securing that neutrality required increased investment.

Noting that Malta’s defence spending remained among the lowest in the EU as a share of GDP, the party said “the bulk of that already modest budget is consumed by wages” and is mainly geared towards civilian support such as search and rescue operations.

The armed forces’ capabilities were “further hampered by the lack of operational vessels such as the P71 [patrol vessel], which has remained moored for the past four months, non-operational helicopters, and out-of-date defence strategies”.

Momentum stressed that in the context of “global upheaval, we understand that neutrality without security is not a policy and is not a guarantee that shields us from every threat we face”.

The party pointed to a recent attack on an oil tanker operating as part of Russia’s shadow fleet, which spent weeks drifting adrift in the Mediterranean close to Maltese waters before being towed towards Libya, and an alleged drone attack on a humanitarian vessel sailing to Gaza last year.

Those incidents, it said, revealed a lack of investment “needed to rapidly deal with such issues, let alone managing a potential environmental or security fallout”.

The party called for investment beyond military hardware, including cybersecurity capabilities to deal with disinformation and threats to energy, financial and communications infrastructure, and strengthening public and private sector preparedness.

It called for increased investment in the Critical Infrastructure Protection unit, which it said handles national threats but lacks a strong workforce.

“Momentum believes that this Freedom Day should start a conversation about Malta’s security and defence, ensuring that the freedom won in 1979 is matched with the investment needed”, the party said.

Momentum election candidate Carmel Asciak said: “Momentum cherishes Malta’s military neutrality, which is why we believe that this must be supported with real capability. Let’s work to ensure that the AFM has the tools it needs to maintain peace and stability on our land, air and sea around us”.

In 2023, Malta’s defence spending as a percentage of GDP was the second lowest in the EU, sitting at 0.4%, second only to Ireland (0.2%), according to Eurostat.

The following year, Malta’s defence spending was the lowest in the EU in absolute terms, totally €99 million, around one-sixth of the second-lowest spender, Cyprus, according to figures provided by the European Defence Agency.