The Bahrain Defence Force (Arabic: قوة دفاع البحرين, abbreviated BDF) is the military force of the 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.
| Bahrain Defence Force | |
|---|---|
| قوة دفاع البحرين | |
 | |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Service branches |  Royal Bahraini Army Royal Bahrain Naval Force Royal Bahraini Air Force Royal Guard Bahrain Royal Medical Services |
| Website | www |
| Leadership | |
| Supreme Commander | Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa |
| Deputy Supreme Commander | Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa |
| Commander-in-chief | Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa |
| Minister of Defence Affairs | Abdulla bin Hasan Al Nuaimi |
| Chief of Staff | Theyab bin Saqer Al Noaimi |
| Personnel | |
| Active personnel | 18,400[1] |
| Reserve personnel | 110,000[2] |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | $1.5 billion (2023) |
| Percent of GDP | 3.3% (2023) |
| Related articles | |
| Ranks | Military ranks of Bahrain |
The BDF numbers about 18,000 personnel[3] and consists of the Royal Bahraini Air Force, Royal Bahraini Army, Royal Bahraini Navy and the Royal Guard. Apart from the BDF, the public security forces and the Coast Guard report to the Ministry of Interior.
In January 2008, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, was appointed as the Deputy Supreme Commander,[4] while Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the BDF.[5] BDF's Chief of Staff is Lieutenant General Theyab bin Saqer Al Noaimi.
History
editThe Bahrain Defence Force was established in 1968 by Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa for safeguarding the nation's primary interests and was initially named the National Guard. In November 1, 1969 the National Guard was renamed to the Bahrain Defence Force. The first batch of recruits started basic training in 28 October 1968 with the first recurits of the force graduating in 5th of February 1969.[6][7]
In 1977 Isa ibn Salman appointed his eldest son and heir apparent, Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa, to be minister of defense and commander in chief of the Bahrain Defense Force. Sheikh Hamad, a recent graduate of Mons Officer Cadet School in 1969, was tasked with restructuring the Bahrain Defence Force.[6]
The Bahrain Defence Force participated in the Gulf War, War on terror, and Saudi-led intervention in Yemen.[8][6]
Commanders-in-Chief of the BDF
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Number of active military personnel in the Middle East and North Africa in 2024, by country". Statista. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Number of reserve military personnel in the Middle East and North Africa in 2024, by country". Statista. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Bahrain". The 2011 US Department of State 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.
- ^ a b c "قوة دفاع البحرين.. خمسون عاماً من الفداء والعطاء" (in Arabic). Al Watan. 4 February 2018.
- ^ "Decoding the Fascinating Bahrain Defence Force History". Militarysphere.com. 29 June 2024.
- ^ "Bahrain Defence Force (BDF)". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
External links
edit
- Official site
- Background Note: Bahrain - Defense U.S. Department of State