Royal Bahrain Naval Force

The Royal Bahrain Naval Force (RBNF) (previously known as Bahrain Defense Force, Naval Branch) is the maritime branch of the Bahrain Defence Force. The current Commander of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force is Rear Admiral Mohammed Yousif al-Asam. The navy consists of 7 combat vessels, 31 patrol craft, 10 landing ships and over 700 personnel. The fleet is based at Mina Salman Naval Base and has a flight wing which can operate off the corvettes, consisting of two MBB BO-105 helicopters. The flagship of the RBNF is the vessel RBNS Sabha, an American-built missile frigate given to the state as a gift in 1996.

Royal Bahrain Naval Force
سلاح البحرية الملكية البحرينية
Founded1979
Country Bahrain
BranchNaval Force
Size1770 (Navy and Coastguard)
Part ofMinistry of Defense
Bahrain Defense Force
Nickname(s)RBNF
Equipment58 ships
EngagementsInvasion of Kuwait
Gulf War
Commanders
Commander of the NavyRear Admiral Mohammed Yousif al-Asam
Insignia
Naval Ensign
Naval Flag and jack

Fleet

Ships
Type/ClassQuantityOriginIn serviceDetails
Frigate
Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate (RBNS Sabha)1 United States1981–present4 Harpoon SSMs, 1 MBB BO-105 shipboard helicopter, and SM-1MR SAMs.[1]
Corvette
Al-Manama class Lürssen FPB 62 Guided-Missile Corvette Combatants2 Germany1988–present4 MM40 Exocets.[1][2] Being upgraded with new weapon control system.[3]
Offshore patrol vessel
River-class Offshore Patrol Vessel - Modified Batch 1b (RBNS Al-Zubara)1 United Kingdom2020 - Presentex-HMS Clyde (P257).[4][5][6]
Patrol craft
Cyclone-class patrol ship5 United States2022–present[7]
Ahmed Al Fateh class Lürssen TNC 45 Guided-Missile Patrol Craft4 Germany1984–present4 MM40 Exocets.[1] Being upgraded with new weapon control system.[3]
Al Riffa class Lürssen FPB 38 Patrol Craft2 Germany1982–present[1]
Al Jarim Swiftships 65 Patrol Boat2 United States1982–present[1]
Swiftships 35 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV35s)2 United States2021[8]
Mark V Special Operations Craft7 United States5 during 2018–19[8]
Vigor Response-Boat Mediums (RB-M)2 United States2019[9]
BMT Group 18m patrol boat6 United Kingdom2013–presentBuilt in Turkey, option for 6 more.[10]
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.[11] 1 more could be ordered.

Aircraft
TypeQuantityOriginIn serviceDetails
Helicopter
Bo 105CBS-43 GermanyThe naval force operates a squadron of three Bo 105CBS-4 helicopters.

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.

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.[13] 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.[14]

Bahrain has ordered 6 Vigor RB-M Fast Interceptor boats.[15] 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.[16][17]

Bahrain Eyes French-Origin Egypt-Built Gowind Corvettes[18]

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.

Commanders

See also

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