Bahrain Defence Force
قوة دفاع البحرين
Founded1968
Service branches Royal Bahraini Army
Royal Bahrain Naval Force
 Royal Bahraini Air Force
Royal Guard
Bahrain Royal Medical Services
Websitewww.bdf.bh
Leadership
Supreme CommanderHamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Deputy Supreme CommanderSalman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Commander-in-chiefKhalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa
Minister for Defence AffairsAbdulla bin Hasan Al Nuaimi
Chief of StaffTheyab bin Saqer Al Noaimi
Personnel
Active personnel18,400 (approximate)
Expenditures
Budget$1.317 billion (2021)
Percent of GDP3.4% (2021)
Related articles
RanksMilitary ranks of Bahrain
Military of Bahrain

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

It numbers about 18,000 personnel[1] and consists of the Royal Bahraini Air Force, Royal Bahraini Army, Royal Bahraini Navy and the Royal Guard. Apart from the BDF, the public security forces and the Coast Guard report to the Ministry of Interior.

In January 2008, the Crown Prince, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was appointed as the Deputy Supreme Commander,[2] while Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the BDF.[3] BDF's Chief of Staff is Lieutenant General Theyab bin Saqer Al Noaimi.

GCC support

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 wars.

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.

U.S. support

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 military 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.

In 2024, Bahrain, the US and are the Western countries took part in the 2024 missile strikes in Yemen. [4]

Commanders-in-Chief of the BDF

# Name Picture Took office Left office
1 Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa 1969 1999
2 Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa 1999 2008
3 Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa 2008 Incumbent

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bahrain". The 2011 US Department of State Background Notes. United States Department of State. Retrieved 2 March 2012. The Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) numbers about 113,000 personnel.
  2. ↑ "Royal Decree No 1 of the Year 2008 on the Appointment of the Deputy Supreme Commander". Official Gazette of the Kingdom of Bahrain. 6 January 2008. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012.
  3. ↑ "Royal Decree No 2 of the Year 2008 on the Appointment of the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force". Official Gazette of the Kingdom of Bahrain. 6 January 2008. Archived from the original on 8 December 2012.
  4. ↑ https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/01/explainer-why-bahrain-supported-us-strikes-yemens-houthis
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