Military of Bahrain
Encyclopedia
The Military of Bahrain was under Bahrain's Ministry of Defence but now an independent entity and not part of the government and is simply Bahrain Defence Force under a field marshal who is the commander-in-chief. It numbers about 9,000 personnel and consists of the Royal Bahraini Air Force
, Royal Bahraini Army
, Royal Bahraini Navy
and the Bahrain Royal Medical Services
. Apart from the BDF, the public security forces and the Coast Guard report to the Ministry of Interior
. Bahrain, in conjunction with its GCC
partners has moved to upgrade its defenses in response to the threat posed by the Iran-Iraq and Persian Gulf war
s. In 1982, the GCC gave Bahrain $1.7 billion to help improve its defenses. Bahrain's defense spending since 1999 has been steady. The government spends around $320 million annually on their military. After the Gulf War
, Bahrain received additional military support from the United States
, including the sale of 54 M60A3 tanks
, 12 F-16C/D aircraft, and 14 Cobra helicopters
. Joint naval, air and ground exercises also have been planned and executed to increase readiness throughout the Persian Gulf. Bahrain and the United States signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement in October 1991, granting U.S. forces access to Bahraini facilities and ensuring the right to pre-position material for future crises. In 2003, George W. Bush
designated Bahrain as a major non-NATO ally
of the United States
. Since 2003, Bahrain has been granted over $100 million in Foreign Military Funding to pay for various high profile weapons systems, to include an AN/TPS-59
(v)3B Early Warning Radar, Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM), Air-to-Air Missile Avoidance System for the King's Plane (Boeing 747-400
), as well as an Avenger Air Defense Vehicle
.
Royal Bahraini Air Force
The Royal Bahraini Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Bahrain Defense Force. The air force had 650 personnel in 1992 and 1,500 in 2009.- History :...
, Royal Bahraini Army
Royal Bahraini Army
Royal Bahraini Army is the ground force component of the Bahraini Defence Force. The army's current strength is 6,000 personnel and headed by Lieutenant General Khalifa bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa.-Formation:The army consists of 3 brigades and 2 battalions:...
, Royal Bahraini Navy
Royal Bahraini Navy
The Royal Bahrain Naval Force , is the maritime branch of the Bahrain Defense Force. The Commander of the Navy is Lieutenant Commander Yusuf al-Maluallah. The navy consists of 11 combat vessels, 22 patrol craft and over 700 personnel...
and the Bahrain Royal Medical Services
Bahrain Royal Medical Services
Bahrain Royal Medical Services is one of the major hospitals in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the only hospital where free health care is provided exclusively for non-civilians in the country...
. Apart from the BDF, the public security forces and the Coast Guard report to the Ministry of Interior
Ministry of the Interior (Bahrain)
The Ministry of the Interior is the Interior ministry of Bahrain. It is responsible for law enforcement and public safety in Bahrain. The headquarter of the ministry is at the Diwan Fort in Manama, coloquially referred to as "al-gal'aa".The current interior minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh...
. Bahrain, in conjunction with its GCC
Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf , also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council , is a political and economic union of the Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf and constituting the Arabian Peninsula, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates...
partners has moved to upgrade its defenses in response to the threat posed by the Iran-Iraq and Persian Gulf war
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
s. In 1982, the GCC gave Bahrain $1.7 billion to help improve its defenses. Bahrain's defense spending since 1999 has been steady. The government spends around $320 million annually on their military. After the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, Bahrain received additional military support from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, including the sale of 54 M60A3 tanks
M60 Patton
The 105 mm Gun Full Tracked Combat Tank, M60, also known unofficially as the M60 Patton, is a first-generation main battle tank introduced in December 1960. It was widely used by the U.S. and its Cold War allies, especially those in NATO, and remains in service throughout the world today...
, 12 F-16C/D aircraft, and 14 Cobra helicopters
AH-1 Cobra
The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois...
. Joint naval, air and ground exercises also have been planned and executed to increase readiness throughout the Persian Gulf. Bahrain and the United States signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement in October 1991, granting U.S. forces access to Bahraini facilities and ensuring the right to pre-position material for future crises. In 2003, George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
designated Bahrain as a major non-NATO ally
Major non-NATO ally
Major non-NATO ally is a designation given by the United States government to close allies who have strategic working relationships with US armed forces but are not members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Since 2003, Bahrain has been granted over $100 million in Foreign Military Funding to pay for various high profile weapons systems, to include an AN/TPS-59
AN/TPS-59
The AN/TPS-59 is a phased array, 3-dimensional, transportable air search radar.The radar uses electronical beam steering in elevation and mechanical steering in azimuth.It is similar to the AN/FPS-117.-GE-592 radar:...
(v)3B Early Warning Radar, Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM), Air-to-Air Missile Avoidance System for the King's Plane (Boeing 747-400
Boeing 747-400
The Boeing 747-400 is a major development and the best-selling model of the Boeing 747 family of jet airliners. While retaining the four-engine wide-body layout of its predecessors, the 747-400 embodies numerous technological and structural changes to produce a more efficient airframe...
), as well as an Avenger Air Defense Vehicle
M1097 Avenger
The Avenger Air Defense System, designated AN/TWQ-1 under the Joint Electronics Type Designation System, is a missile system which provides mobile, short-range air defense protection for ground units against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, low-flying fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters...
.