View source for Royal Bahraini Naval Force

{{Short description|Naval warfare branch of Bahrain's military}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Royal Bahraini Naval Force
|native_name=سلاح البحرية الملكية البحرينية
|image= Flag of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force.svg
|image_size= 180px
|caption=Naval jack
|start_date= 1979
|country= {{flag|Bahrain}}
|allegiance=[[King of Bahrain]]
|type=[[Navy]]
|role= 
|size=700 personnel<br>35 ships<br>2 aircraft
|command_structure=[[Bahrain Defense Force]]
|garrison=Mina Salman Naval Base
|garrison_label=
|motto= 
|nickname= RBNF
|patron=
|colors=
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|battles={{tree list}}
*[[Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war]]
**[[Blockade of Yemen]]
*[[Red Sea crisis]]
**[[Operation Prosperity Guardian]]
{{tree list/end}}
|anniversaries=
|battle_honours=
<!-- Commanders -->
|commander1= [[Commodore (rank)|Rear Admiral]] Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Bin Ali<ref>[https://www.bna.bh/en/CommanderinChiefreceivesnewlyappointedRoyalBahrainNavalForceActingCommander.aspx?cms=q8FmFJgiscL2fwIzON1%2BDnxZyMj%2FkzgRh6nVPkIfOeo%3D Commander-in-Chief receives newly appointed Royal Bahrain Naval Force Commander]. Bahrain News Agency. Published 23 March 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.</ref>
|commander1_label= Commander of the Navy
|commander2=
|commander2_label=
|commander3=
|commander3_label=
|notable_commanders=
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=[[File:Flag of Bahrain.svg|border|180px]]
|identification_symbol_label=Naval Ensign
|identification_symbol_2=
|identification_symbol_2_label=Naval Flag and [[Jack (flag)|jack]]
|identification_symbol_3=
|identification_symbol_3_label=
|identification_symbol_4=
|identification_symbol_4_label=
}}

The '''Royal Bahrain Naval Force''' ({{langx|ar|القوات البحرية الملكية البحرينية}}, abbreviated '''RBNF'''), also called the '''Royal Bahraini Navy''',<ref name="bahrain">[https://www.bdf.bh/en/copy-of-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9 Royal Bahraini Naval Force]. Bahrain Defense Force. Retrieved 2 February 2024.</ref> 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 frigate|''Oliver Hazard Perry''-class]].<ref name="iiss">{{cite book |author=IISS |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2023 |year=2023 |pages=318–319 }}</ref>

The RBNF received the frigate [[RBNS Sabha|RBNS ''Sabha'']] from the U.S., arriving in Bahrain on 9 July 1997.<ref name="bahrain" /> On 18 January 2024, a second ''Oliver Hazard Perry''-class frigate, [[USS Robert G. Bradley|RBNS ''Khalid bin Ali'']], reached Bahrain after being transferred from the [[U.S. Navy]].<ref>[https://www.bna.bh/en/news?cms=q8FmFJgiscL2fwIzON1%2BDvdHGdFWot2F5VnnkAMj6VE%3D ‘RBNS Khalid bin Ali’ ship arrives in Bahrain; joins RBNF]. Bahrain News Agency. Published 18 January 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.</ref>

== 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.<ref>United States Congress (1972). [https://books.google.com/books?id=kjWU6C1cWpQC&q=december%2023%201971 U.S. Interests in and Policy Toward the Persian Gulf]. U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved 2 February 2024.</ref> Bahrain's first warship entered the Royal Bahraini Naval Force on 20 March 1979, and it acquired the frigate [[RBNS Sabha|RBNS ''Sabha'']] on 9 July 1997.<ref name="bahrain" />

Bahrain deployed RBNS ''Sabha'' with U.S. ships during the [[invasion of Iraq]] and [[Operation Enduring Freedom]].<ref>Katzman, Kenneth (2010). [https://books.google.com/books?id=KY7AJi5eREAC Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy]. Diane Publishing Company. p. 6.</ref>

== Fleet ==
===Ships===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
| align=center|'''Type/Class''' || align=center|'''Quantity''' || align=center|'''Origin''' || align=center|'''In service''' || align=center|'''Details'''
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: lavender;"| Frigate
|-
| [[Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate]] ({{ship|RBNS|Sabha|FFG-90|6}} and [[USS Robert G. Bradley|RBNS ''Khalid bin Ali'']]) || 2 || {{flag|United States}} || 1997–''present'' || 4 [[Boeing Harpoon|Harpoon SSMs]], 1 [[MBB Bo 105|MBB BO-105]] shipboard helicopter, and [[RIM-66 Standard|SM-1MR SAMs]].<ref name=NIGuide>{{cite book|last=Wertheim|first=Eric|title=The Naval Institute guide to combat fleets of the world : their ships, aircraft, and systems|year=2007|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Md.|isbn=9781591149552|pages=37–38|edition=15th}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: lavender;"| Corvette
|-
| ''Al-Manama'' class [[Lürssen]] FPB 62 Guided-Missile Corvette Combatants || 2 || {{Flag|Germany}} || 1988–''present'' ||4 [[Exocet|MM40 Exocets]].<ref name=NIGuide/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gcreport.com/index.php/analysis/192-the-naval-balance-of-power-the-persian-gulf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030213552/http://gcreport.com/index.php/analysis/192-the-naval-balance-of-power-the-persian-gulf|url-status=dead|title=The Naval Balance of Power: The Persian Gulf|archive-date=October 30, 2012}}</ref> Being upgraded with new weapon control system.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2018/january-2018-navy-naval-defense-news/5885-leonardo-delivers-first-upgraded-al-manama-ship-to-royal-bahrain-naval-force.html |title=Leonardo delivers first upgraded Al Manama ship to Royal Bahrain Naval Force |publisher=Navyrecognition.com |date=2018-01-24 |access-date=2020-05-23}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: lavender;"| Offshore patrol vessel
|-
|[[River-class patrol vessel|River-class]]   [[offshore patrol vessel|Offshore Patrol Vessel]] - Modified Batch 1b ([[HMS Clyde (P257)|RBNS Al-Zubara]]) || 1 || {{flag|United Kingdom}} || 2020 - ''Present'' || ex-[[HMS Clyde (P257)]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bna.bh/en/news?cms=q8FmFJgiscL2fwIzON1%2BDuzkhUUi5NKmSGxrV1l8fdc%3D |title=Bahrain receives patrol warship "RBNS Al-Zubara" |first=Steve |last=W |date=7 August 2020 |website=Bahrain News Agency |publisher= (WHQ) |access-date=7 August 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hms-clyde-sold-to-bahrain/ |title=HMS Clyde sold to Bahrain |first=Steve |last=W |date=8 August 2020 |website=UK Defence Journal |publisher= (George Allison) |access-date=8 August 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bna.bh/en/RBNSAlZubaraarrivesinBahrain.aspx?cms=iQRpheuphYtJ6pyXUGiNqnMzw7NuhiJgEJGlkztxoII%3D |title="RBNS Al-Zubara" arrives in Bahrain |date=26 November 2020 |website=Bahrain News Agency |publisher= (WHQ) |access-date=4 May 2021 }}</ref>
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: lavender;"| Patrol craft
|-
| [[Cyclone-class patrol ship]] || 5 || {{flag|United States}} || 2022–''present'' || <ref>{{Cite web|last=Binnie|first=Jeremy|date=2022-04-04|title=Bahrain commissions ex-US patrol ships|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/bahrain-commissions-ex-us-patrol-ships|access-date=29 March 2023|website=Janes|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|''Ahmed Al Fateh'' class Lürssen TNC 45 Guided-Missile Patrol Craft || 4 || {{flag|Germany}} || 1984–''present'' || 4 [[Exocet|MM40 Exocets]].<ref name=NIGuide/> Being upgraded with new weapon control system.<ref name="auto"/>
|-
|''Al Riffa'' class Lürssen FPB 38 Patrol Craft || 2 || {{flag|Germany}} || 1982–''present'' || <ref name=NIGuide/>
|-
| ''Al Jarim'' Swiftships 65 Patrol Boat || 2 || {{flag|United States}} || 1982–''present'' || <ref name=NIGuide/>
|-
| Swiftships 35 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV35s) || 2 || {{flag|United States}} || 2021 || <ref name="janes.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/bahrain-commissions-new-naval-vessels |title = Bahrain commissions new naval vessels}}</ref>
|-
| [[Mark V Special Operations Craft]] || 7 || {{flag|United States}} || 5 during 2018–19 || <ref name="janes.com"/>
|-
| Vigor Response-Boat Mediums (RB-M) || 2 || {{flag|United States}} || 2019 || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bahraindefence.com/press-releases/vigor-bahrain-rb-m |title = Vigor Bahrain RB-M - BIDEC - Bahrain's Premier International Tri-Service Defence Show}}</ref>
|-
| BMT Group 18m patrol boat || 6 || {{flag|United Kingdom}} || 2013–''present'' || Built in Turkey, option for 6 more.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/newsb/naval-exhibitions/2013-archive-naval-exhibitons/dsei-2013/1232-bmt-partners-with-ares-shipyard-to-deliver-patrol-boats-for-bahrain-coast-guard.html|title=BMT Partners with Ares Shipyard to Deliver Patrol Boats for Bahrain Coast Guard|website=Navyrecognition.com|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Wasp-11 || 2 || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| Wasp-20 || 2 || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| Wasp-30 || 1 || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| [[VT Group]] VT-Halmatic 20 || 4 || {{flag|Qatar}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| [[VT Group]] VT-Halmatic 160 || 6 || {{flag|Qatar}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| [[Fairey Marine|Fairey Marine Swordsman]] || 4 || {{flag|United Kingdom}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: lavender;"| Amphibious warfare ship
|-
| ''Al Hamra'' class ADSB Steel Landing Craft || 4 || {{flag|United Arab Emirates}} || 2009+ || 2 42-meter and 2 16-meter.
|-
| [[Landing Craft Utility|LCU-1466]] || 4 || {{flag|United States}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| [[Fairey Marine|Fairey Marine LCU]] || 1 || {{flag|United Kingdom}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| [[Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company]] Landing craft || 1 || {{flag|Bahrain}} || 2016 || 34.5m in overall length.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsofbahrain.com/viewNews.php?ppId=21619&pid=21,41&MNU=|title=ASRY construct new landing craft|website=Newsofbahrain.com|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref> 1 more could be ordered.
|- [[Al-Areen (13)]] Patrol Craft || 115|| Bahraini Navy || 2021 <ref>{{cite web |title=Swiftships Shipbuilders |url=http://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/shipyards/small/swiftships.htm |website=Swiftships Shipbuilders}}</ref>
|}

===Aircraft===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
| align=center|'''Type''' || align=center|'''Quantity''' || align=center|'''Origin''' || align=center|'''In service''' || align=center|'''Details'''
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: lavender;"| Helicopter
|-
| [[MBB Bo 105|Bo 105CBS-4]] || 2 || {{flag|Germany}} ||  || The naval force operates a squadron of two Bo 105CBS-4 helicopters.<ref name="iiss" /><ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=75345 World Air Forces 2021]. Flightglobal.com.</ref>
|}

===Missiles & Torpedoes===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
| align=center|'''Type''' || align=center|'''Quantity''' || align=center|'''Origin''' || align=center|'''In service''' || align=center|'''Details'''
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: lavender;"| Missiles & Torpedoes
|-
|  [[Exocet|Exocet MM-40]] || 67 || {{flag|France}} ||  || Delivered between 1984 and 2010.
|-
|  [[Harpoon (missile)|Harpoon]] || 8 || {{flag|United States}} ||  || Delivered 1997–1998.
|-
|  [[RIM-66 Standard]] || 22 || {{flag|United States}} ||  || RIM-66B Standard-1MR delivered 1997.
|-
|  [[Mark 46 torpedo]] || 18 || {{flag|United States}} ||  || Mk-46 Mod-5 NEARTIP delivered 1997.
|}

==Ranks==
;Officer ranks
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Bahrain}}
|}

;Enlisted and NCO ranks
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Bahrain}}
|}

==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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/bahrain-35-meter-fast-patrol-boats|title=Bahrain – 35 Meter Fast Patrol Boats - The Official Home of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency|website=Dsca.mil|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://insidedefense.com/insider/cbo-navy-frigate-sale-bahrain-has-80m-price-tag|title=CBO: Navy frigate sale to Bahrain has $80M price tag|date=13 July 2018|website=Insidedefense.com|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref>

Bahrain has ordered 6 Vigor RB-M Fast Interceptor boats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/naval-exhibitions/2019-naval-exhibitions/navdex-official-news-online-show-daily/6833-navdex-2019-vigor-showcases-its-vigor-fast-interceptor.html |title=NAVDEX 2019 : Vigor showcases its Vigor Fast Interceptor |publisher=Navyrecognition.com |date=2019-02-18 |access-date=2020-05-23}}</ref> 3+ now in service.

1 [[Hamilton-class cutter]] acquired from the United States in 2020 and 5 [[Cyclone-class patrol ship|Cyclone patrol ships]] also acquired from the United States in 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/52-year-old-coast-guard-cutter-heads-to-bahrain-for-second-career | title=52-Year-Old Coast Guard Cutter Heads to Bahrain for Second Career }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/bahrain-commissions-ex-us-patrol-ships | title=Bahrain commissions ex-US patrol ships }}</ref>

Bahrain Eyes French-Origin Egypt-Built [[Gowind-class design|Gowind Corvettes]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.defensemirror.com/news/33545/Bahrain_Eyes_French_Origin_Egypt_Built_Gowind_Corvettes#.ZAG-tnZBxPY | title=Bahrain Eyes French-Origin Egypt-Built Gowind Corvettes }}</ref>

== Bases ==
[[File:RBNS Sabha (FFG 90) Bahrain.jpg|thumb|right|256px|{{ship|RBNS|Sabha|FFG-90|6}} 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.

{{clear}}

== See also ==
* [[Naval Support Activity Bahrain]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Royal Bahrain Naval Force}}
* [http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/mideast/bahrain. Haze Gray Bahrain Navy]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081120135758/http://www.inss.org.il/upload/(FILE)1203939711.pdf INSS Bahrain Navy]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233955/http://www.kjclub.com/jp/exchange/photo/read.php?tname=exc_board_53&uid=9406&fid=9406&thread=1000000&idx=1&page=1&number=7021 掲示板 インターネット日韓文化交流 - KJCLUB - KJLAND: Photos of surface vessels of the RBNF] {{in lang|ja}}

{{Bahrain security forces}}

{{Asia topic|Navy of|title=Navies of Asia}}

[[Category:Royal Bahrain Naval Force| ]]
[[Category:Military of Bahrain]]
[[Category:Navies by country|Bahrain]]
[[Category:Bahrain Defence Force]]