The Royal Bahraini Naval Force ( ar, القوات البحرية الملكية البحرينية, 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 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''. The RBNF received the frigate ''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 and

Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) was the official name used synonymously by the U.S. government for both the War in Afghanistan (2001–2014) and the larger-scale Global War on Terrorism. On 7 October 2001, in response to the September 11 at ...

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) USS ''Robert G. Bradley'' (FFG-49) is an ''Oliver Hazard Perry''-class frigate, a decommissioned ship of the United States Navy named for Lieutenant Robert G. Bradley (1921–1944), who was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his herois ...

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 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 and is used as a ship and submarine logistic support base for the entire

US Fifth Fleet The Fifth Fleet is a numbered fleet of the United States Navy. It has been responsible for naval forces in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean since 1995 after a 48-year hiatus. It shares a commander and headq ...

. 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 Defence Force