Chapter 3: Persian Gulf, Arabian Peninsula

Bahrain: Fielded Forces

Overview / Army / Navy, Coast Guard / Air Force

Overview / Leadership / System Essentials / Infrastructure / Population / Table of Contents

Major Hamad inb Abd Allah Al Khalifa, Cmdr of Bahrain's Shaykh Isa Squadron

Overview

The military is organized into 4 forces, the air force, army, navy, and a small coast guard. About 5.7% of the country's GDP is dedicated to defense spending. The total strength numbers close to 8100, with the bulk of the forces assigned to the army.

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Army

The army has 6800 members forming 1 brigade, divided into 4 battalions (2 infantry, 1 special forces, and 1 armored/tank).

• MBT: 80 M60A3
• RECCE: 22 AML-90, 8 Saladin, 8 Ferret, 8 Shortland
• APCs: 10 AT-105 Saxon, 110 Panhard M-3, 115 M-113A2
• Artillery: 20 155mm, 8 105mm, 13 203mm
• SAMs: 40 RBS-70, 20 Stinger, 7 Crotale

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Navy

600 naval personnel work out of Bahrain's Mina Sulman port facility.

Surface Combatants:

• 2 fast attack (gun) craft, 188 ton
• 2 fast attack (gun) craft, 33 ton
• 2 fast attack (missile) craft, 632 ton
• 4 fast attack (missile) craft, 228 ton
• 4 support ships, 420 ton

Coast Guard

The coast guard serves under the direction of the Ministry of the Interior.

Surface Combatants:

• 1 Wasp, 90 tons
• 2 Wasp, 36 tons
• 4 Halmatic 20 meter class

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Air Force

Currently 700 officers and airman support 24 combat aircraft and 10 armed helicopters.

• Ftr Bmbrs: 12 F-5E/F
• Fighter: 8 F-16C/D
• Transport: 2 Gulfstream II/III
• Helicopters: 12 AB-212, 4 Bo-105

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