Royal_Bahrain_Naval_Force

Royal Bahraini Naval Force

Royal Bahraini Naval Force

Naval warfare branch of Bahrain's military

The Royal Bahraini Naval Force (Arabic: القوات البحرية الملكية البحرينية, abbreviated RBNF), also called the Royal Bahraini Navy,[2] is the maritime branch of the Bahrain Defence Force. The RBNF consists of 700 personnel, 35 ships, and two helicopters. The fleet includes one frigate, the former U.S. Oliver Hazard Perry-class RBNS Sabha.[3]

Quick Facts Founded, Country ...

The RBNF received the frigate Sabha from the U.S., arriving in Bahrain on 9 July 1997.[2] 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.[4]

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.[5] 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.[2]

Bahrain deployed RBNS Sabha with U.S. ships during the invasion of Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom.[6]

Fleet

Ships

More information Frigate, Corvette ...

Aircraft

More information Helicopter ...

Missiles & Torpedoes

More information Missiles & Torpedoes ...

Ranks

Officer ranks
More information Rank group, General / flag officers ...
Enlisted and NCO ranks
More information Rank group, Senior NCOs ...

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.[20] 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.[21]

Bahrain has ordered 6 Vigor RB-M Fast Interceptor boats.[22] 3+ now in service.

1 Hamilton class cutter acquired from the United States in 2020 and 5 Cyclone patrol ships also acquired from the United States in 2022.[23][24]

Bahrain Eyes French-Origin Egypt-Built Gowind Corvettes[25]

Bases

RBNS Sabha in April 2008.
  • Mina Salman Naval Base is a facility currently shared with the United States Navy 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.

See also

References

  1. [1]
    Commander-in-Chief receives newly appointed Royal Bahrain Naval Force Commander. Bahrain News Agency. Published 23 March 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  2. [2]
    Royal Bahraini Naval Force. Bahrain Defense Force. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  3. [3]
    IISS (2023). The Military Balance 2023. pp. 318–319.
  4. [4]
    ‘RBNS Khalid bin Ali’ ship arrives in Bahrain; joins RBNF. Bahrain News Agency. Published 18 January 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  5. [5]
    United States Congress (1972). U.S. Interests in and Policy Toward the Persian Gulf. U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  6. [6]
    Katzman, Kenneth (2010). Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy. Diane Publishing Company. p. 6.
  7. [7]
    Wertheim, Eric (2007). The Naval Institute guide to combat fleets of the world : their ships, aircraft, and systems (15th ed.). Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press. pp. 37–38. ISBN 9781591149552.
  8. [8]
    "The Naval Balance of Power: The Persian Gulf". Archived from the original on 30 October 2012.
  9. [9]
    "Leonardo delivers first upgraded Al Manama ship to Royal Bahrain Naval Force". Navyrecognition.com. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  10. [10]
    W, Steve (7 August 2020). "Bahrain receives patrol warship "RBNS Al-Zubara"". Bahrain News Agency. (WHQ). Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  11. [11]
    W, Steve (8 August 2020). "HMS Clyde sold to Bahrain". UK Defence Journal. (George Allison). Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  12. [12]
    ""RBNS Al-Zubara" arrives in Bahrain". Bahrain News Agency. (WHQ). 26 November 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  13. [13]
    Binnie, Jeremy (4 April 2022). "Bahrain commissions ex-US patrol ships". Janes. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  14. [14]
    "Bahrain commissions new naval vessels".
  15. [15]
    "Vigor Bahrain RB-M - BIDEC - Bahrain's Premier International Tri-Service Defence Show".
  16. [16]
    "BMT Partners with Ares Shipyard to Deliver Patrol Boats for Bahrain Coast Guard". Navyrecognition.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  17. [17]
    "ASRY construct new landing craft". Newsofbahrain.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  18. ↑
    "Swiftships Shipbuilders". Swiftships Shipbuilders.
  19. [19]
    World Air Forces 2021. Flightglobal.com.
  20. [20]
    "Bahrain – 35 Meter Fast Patrol Boats - The Official Home of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency". Dsca.mil. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  21. [21]
    "CBO: Navy frigate sale to Bahrain has $80M price tag". Insidedefense.com. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  22. [22]
    "NAVDEX 2019 : Vigor showcases its Vigor Fast Interceptor". Navyrecognition.com. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  23. [23]
    "52-Year-Old Coast Guard Cutter Heads to Bahrain for Second Career".
  24. [24]
    "Bahrain commissions ex-US patrol ships".
  25. [25]
    "Bahrain Eyes French-Origin Egypt-Built Gowind Corvettes".
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