Bahrain Defence Force
| Bahrain Defence Force | |
|---|---|
| قوة دفاع البحرين | |
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa | |
| Commander-in-chief | Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa |
| Minister for Defence Affairs | Abdulla bin Hasan Al Nuaimi |
| Chief of Staff | Theyab bin Saqer Al Noaimi |
| Personnel | |
| Active personnel | 8,200[1] |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | $1.5 billion (2022) |
| Percent of GDP | 3.4% (2022) |
| Related articles | |
| Ranks | Military ranks of Bahrain |
Military of Bahrain |
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| Judiciary |
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| Administrative divisions (governorates) |
 Bahrain portal |
The Bahrain Defence Force (
Kingdom of Bahrain. The Bahrain Defence Force is under the direct command and leadership of a commander-in-chief who holds the rank of field marshal. The Government
has a Minister of Defence Affairs, responsible for BDF representation in the Cabinet.
The BDF numbers about 18,000 personnelMinistry of Interior.
In January 2008, Crown Prince
Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, was appointed as the Deputy Supreme Commander,[3] while Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the BDF.[4] BDF's Chief of Staff is Lieutenant General Theyab bin Saqer Al Noaimi
.
GCC support
Bahrain, in conjunction with its
GCC partners, has moved to upgrade its defenses in response to the threat posed by the Iran-Iraq and Persian Gulf wars
.
In 1982, the GCC gave Bahrain $1.7 billion to help improve its defenses. Bahrain's defense spending since 1999 has been steady. The government spends around $320 million annually on the military.
U.S. support
After the
Avenger Air Defense Vehicle
.
In 2024, Bahrain, the US and are the Western countries took part in the 2024 missile strikes in Yemen. [5]
Commanders-in-Chief of the BDF
| # | Name | Picture | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa | 
|
1969 | 1999 |
| 2 | Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
|
|
1999 | 2008 |
| 3 | Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa | 
|
2008 | Incumbent |
See also
References
- ^ IISS (2023). The Military Balance 2023. pp. 318–319.
- Background Notes. United States Department of State. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
The Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) numbers about 113,000 personnel.
- ^ "Royal Decree No 1 of the Year 2008 on the Appointment of the Deputy Supreme Commander". Official Gazette of the Kingdom of Bahrain. 6 January 2008. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012.
- ^ "Royal Decree No 2 of the Year 2008 on the Appointment of the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force". Official Gazette of the Kingdom of Bahrain. 6 January 2008. Archived from the original on 8 December 2012.
- ^ "Explainer: Why Bahrain supported US strikes on Yemen's Houthis - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East". 12 January 2024.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bahrain Defence Force.
- Official site
- Background Note: Bahrain - Defense U.S. Department of State