The recent drug heist at an Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) compound in Safi, which saw the theft of more than 100 kilogrammes of cannabis resin, has revealed significant security failures within the army. While disciplinary action has been taken against two soldiers - with one dismissed and another demoted - the measures appear insufficient to restore the public's confidence in the armed forces.

The heist not only raised serious questions about the integrity of the AFM's operations but also highlighted critical gaps in security protocols, leaving many to question whether the response to the breach was proportionate to the severity of the incident.

The six personnel found guilty of various infractions received a combination of penalties, including 134 working days of forfeited pay, formal reprimands, and official warnings. Additionally, some were stripped of their official postings, which affected their allowances and future promotions. Yet, these actions appear to fall short of the level of accountability necessary to reassure the public that the AFM is capable of maintaining the security and trust placed in it, especially when dealing with such sensitive matters involving large quantities of illegal substances.

The case revealed several security failures that contributed to the heist, including a lack of proper monitoring, inadequate patrols, and failure to identify the theft in progress. Given that this breach occurred at a military compound, a location that is supposed to be highly secure, the consequences of such neglect are severe. The military's response to the inquiry's findings, though swift in some respects, has not been seen as enough to restore confidence in the force's ability to safeguard national security or manage sensitive operations effectively.

There is a broader concern that the disciplinary actions may be seen as an attempt to deflect attention from the larger structural and procedural problems within the AFM. As usual, it is the small fish that suffered the consequences of what took place.

In the face of such a serious lapse in security, many are left questioning whether these measures are sufficient to prevent future incidents or whether they are merely symbolic actions designed to placate the public.

The role of leadership in the aftermath of the heist has also come under scrutiny. Army Commander Brigadier Clinton O'Neill was initially suspended following the theft, a move that seemed to acknowledge the severity of the incident. But he was immediately reinstated once the inquiry was concluded.

As to political responsibility, we had Prime Minister Robert Abela refusing the resignation of Minister Byron Camilleri, which means that no political responsibility was taken for what took place.

If the leadership fails to address the root causes of these failures - such as inadequate training, insufficient oversight, and potential gaps in the security infrastructure - there is little assurance that future incidents will be avoided.

Public confidence in the armed forces is not easily regained, especially when there is a perception that the penalties for such serious lapses are not commensurate with the scale of the breach.

To truly restore confidence, the Armed Forces of Malta will need to not only address the individual failures of the soldiers involved but also implement more comprehensive reforms to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.