Royal Bahraini Naval Force

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 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.‘RBNS Khalid bin Ali’ ship arrives in Bahrain; joins RBNF. Bahrain News Agency. Published 18 January 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

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.United States Congress (1972). U.S. Interests in and Policy Toward the Persian Gulf. U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved 2 February 2024. 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.Katzman, Kenneth (2010). Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy. Diane Publishing Company. p. 6.

Fleet Ships Type/Class Quantity Origin In service Details Frigate Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate ( and RBNS Khalid bin Ali) 2 1997–present 4 Harpoon SSMs, 1 MBB BO-105 shipboard helicopter, and SM-1MR SAMs. Corvette Al-Manama class Lürssen FPB 62 Guided-Missile Corvette Combatants 2 1988–present 4 MM40 Exocets. Being upgraded with new weapon control system. Offshore patrol vesselRiver-class Offshore Patrol Vessel - Modified Batch 1b (RBNS Al-Zubara) 1 2020 - Present ex-HMS Clyde (P257). Patrol craft Cyclone-class patrol ship 5 2022–present Ahmed Al Fateh class Lürssen TNC 45 Guided-Missile Patrol Craft 4 1984–present 4 MM40 Exocets. Being upgraded with new weapon control system.Al Riffa class Lürssen FPB 38 Patrol Craft 2 1982–present Al Jarim Swiftships 65 Patrol Boat 2 1982–present Swiftships 35 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV35s) 2 2021 Mark V Special Operations Craft 7 5 during 2018–19 Vigor Response-Boat Mediums (RB-M) 2 2019 BMT Group 18m patrol boat 6 2013–present Built in Turkey, option for 6 more. Wasp-11 2 Wasp-20 2 Wasp-30 1 VT Group VT-Halmatic 20 4 VT Group VT-Halmatic 160 6 Fairey Marine Swordsman 4 Amphibious warfare ship Al Hamra class ADSB Steel Landing Craft 4 2009+ 2 42-meter and 2 16-meter. LCU-1466 4 Fairey Marine LCU 1 Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company Landing craft 1 2016 34.5m in overall length. 1 more could be ordered.

Aircraft Type Quantity Origin In service Details Helicopter Bo 105CBS-4 2 The naval force operates a squadron of two Bo 105CBS-4 helicopters.

Missiles & Torpedoes Type Quantity Origin In service Details Missiles & Torpedoes Exocet MM-40 67 Delivered between 1984 and 2010. Harpoon 8 Delivered 1997–1998. RIM-66 Standard 22 RIM-66B Standard-1MR delivered 1997. Mark 46 torpedo 18 Mk-46 Mod-5 NEARTIP delivered 1997.

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 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. 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.

Royal Bahraini Naval Force

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