Royal Bahraini Naval Force

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]

Royal Bahraini Naval Force
سلاح البحرية الملكية البحرينية
Naval jack
Founded1979
Country Bahrain
TypeNavy
Size700 personnel
35 ships
2 aircraft
Part ofMinistry of Defense
Bahrain Defense Force
Garrison/HQMina Salman Naval Base
Nickname(s)RBNF
EngagementsSaudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war
Commanders
Commander of the NavyRear Admiral Mohammed Ibrahim Al Binali[1]
Insignia
Naval Ensign

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
Type/ClassQuantityOriginIn serviceDetails
Frigate
Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate (RBNS Sabha and RBNS Khalid bin Ali)2 United States1997–present4 Harpoon SSMs, 1 MBB BO-105 shipboard helicopter, and SM-1MR SAMs.[7]
Corvette
Al-Manama class Lürssen FPB 62 Guided-Missile Corvette Combatants2 Germany1988–present4 MM40 Exocets.[7][8] Being upgraded with new weapon control system.[9]
Offshore patrol vessel
River-class Offshore Patrol Vessel - Modified Batch 1b (RBNS Al-Zubara)1 United Kingdom2020 - Presentex-HMS Clyde (P257).[10][11][12]
Patrol craft
Cyclone-class patrol ship5 United States2022–present[13]
Ahmed Al Fateh class Lürssen TNC 45 Guided-Missile Patrol Craft4 Germany1984–present4 MM40 Exocets.[7] Being upgraded with new weapon control system.[9]
Al Riffa class Lürssen FPB 38 Patrol Craft2 Germany1982–present[7]
Al Jarim Swiftships 65 Patrol Boat2 United States1982–present[7]
Swiftships 35 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV35s)2 United States2021[14]
Mark V Special Operations Craft7 United States5 during 2018–19[14]
Vigor Response-Boat Mediums (RB-M)2 United States2019[15]
BMT Group 18m patrol boat6 United Kingdom2013–presentBuilt in Turkey, option for 6 more.[16]
Wasp-112   
Wasp-202   
Wasp-301   
VT Group VT-Halmatic 204 Qatar  
VT Group VT-Halmatic 1606 Qatar  
Fairey Marine Swordsman4 United Kingdom  
Amphibious warfare ship
Al Hamra class ADSB Steel Landing Craft4 United Arab Emirates2009+2 42-meter and 2 16-meter.
LCU-14664 United States  
Fairey Marine LCU1 United Kingdom  
Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company Landing craft1 Bahrain201634.5m in overall length.[17] 1 more could be ordered.

Aircraft
TypeQuantityOriginIn serviceDetails
Helicopter
Bo 105CBS-42 GermanyThe naval force operates a squadron of two Bo 105CBS-4 helicopters.[3][19]

Missiles & Torpedoes
TypeQuantityOriginIn serviceDetails
Missiles & Torpedoes
Exocet MM-4067 FranceDelivered between 1984 and 2010.
Harpoon8 United StatesDelivered 1997–1998.
RIM-66 Standard22 United StatesRIM-66B Standard-1MR delivered 1997.
Mark 46 torpedo18 United StatesMk-46 Mod-5 NEARTIP delivered 1997.

Ranks
Officer ranks
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Royal Bahrain Naval Force
مشیر
Mushir		 فريق أول‎‎
Fariq 'awal		 فريق
Fariq		 لواء
Liwa		 عميد
Amid		 عقيد
Aqid		 مقدم
Muqaddam		 رائد
Ra'id		 نقيب
Naqib		 ملازم أول
Mulazim awwal		 ملازم
Mulazim
Enlisted and NCO ranks
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Royal Bahrain Naval Force
 No insignia
رقیب أول
Raqib 'awal		 رقیب
Raqib		 عريف
Earif		 جندي أول
Jundiun awwal		 جندي
Jundiun‎‎‎‎

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
  • Naval Support Activity Bahrain

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