The Royal Bahrain Naval Force (, abbreviated RBNF), also called the Royal Bahraini Navy,Royal Bahraini Naval Force
Bahrain Defense Force. Retrieved 2 February 2024. is the maritime branch of the

Bahrain Defence Force The Bahrain Defence Force (, abbreviated BDF) is the military force of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Bahrain Defence Force is under the direct command and leadership of a commander-in-chief who holds the rank of field marshal. The Government has ...

. The RBNF consists of 700 personnel, 35 ships, and two helicopters. The fleet includes two frigates, the former U.S. ''Oliver Hazard Perry''-class. The RBNF received the frigate RBNS ''Sabha'' from the U.S., arriving in Bahrain on 9 July 1997. On 18 January 2024, a second ''Oliver Hazard Perry''-class frigate, RBNS ''Khalid bin Ali'', reached Bahrain after being transferred from the U.S. Navy.

History

The United States and Bahrain signed an agreement on 23 December 1971 that allowed the U.S. Navy's Middle East Force to use the former British naval facilities in the country after they were given over to the Government of Bahrain by the United Kingdom. Bahrain's first warship entered the Royal Bahraini Naval Force on 20 March 1979, and it acquired the frigate RBNS ''Sabha'' on 9 July 1997. Bahrain deployed RBNS ''Sabha'' with U.S. ships during the

invasion of Iraq An invasion is a military offensive of combatants of one geopolitical entity, usually in large numbers, entering territory controlled by another similar entity, often involving acts of aggression. Generally, invasions have objectives ...

and

Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) was the official name used by the U.S. government for both the first stage (2001–2014) of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) and the larger-scale Global War on Terrorism. On 7 October 2001, in response ...

Fleet

Ships

Aircraft

Missiles & Torpedoes

Ranks

;Officer ranks ;Enlisted and NCO ranks

Future

Sep. 8, 2017 - The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Bahrain for two 35 Meter Fast Patrol Boats. The estimated cost is $60.25 million. Now in service. In 2019, Bahrain has purchased another frigate from the US, the USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG-49) which will join the fleet after completion of current refurbishment works. Bahrain has ordered 6 Vigor RB-M Fast Interceptor boats. 3+ now in service. 1

Hamilton-class cutter The ''Hamilton''-class cutter was the largest class of vessel in the United States Coast Guard until replaced by the Legend-class cutter, aside from the . The hull classification symbol is prefixed WHEC. The United States Coast Guard Cutter, cu ...

acquired from the United States in 2020 and 5 Cyclone patrol ships also acquired from the United States in 2022. Bahrain Eyes French-Origin Egypt-Built Gowind Corvettes

Bases

* Mina Salman Naval Base is a facility currently shared with the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

and is used as a ship and submarine logistic support base for the entire US Fifth Fleet. It was opened in the 1980s as cargo facility and is now solely used as a naval port. * Manama Naval Base is another key US Navy installation and formerly home to HMS Juffair. It is not used by RBNF. * RBNF also operates a shipyard that is shared with several other neighbouring countries.

References

External links

Haze Gray Bahrain Navy

INSS Bahrain Navy

掲示板インターネット日韓文化交流 - KJCLUB - KJLAND: Photos of surface vessels of the RBNF
{{Asia topic, Navy of, title=Navies of Asia Military of Bahrain

Bahrain Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. Situated on the Persian Gulf, it comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centered on Bahrain Island, which mak ...

Bahrain Defence Force