Us Military Aid To Bahrain: Friend Or Foe?

The United States and Bahrain have a history of military cooperation, with Bahrain being designated as a Major Non-NATO Ally since 2002. Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet and the headquarters of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, with thousands of U.S. military personnel deployed in the country. In recent years, the U.S. has provided military aid to Bahrain in the form of government-to-government sales, direct commercial sales, and foreign military financing. In September 2023, the two countries signed a strategic security and economic agreement, further strengthening their defense and intelligence collaboration. This agreement was seen as a recognition by the U.S. of the importance of Bahrain as a regional partner and a commitment to assist in the face of imminent security threats.

The US and Bahrain signed a strategic security and economic agreement in 2023

The United States and Bahrain have a long history of diplomatic and military relations, with the US recognizing Bahrain's strategic importance in the Middle East. In September 2023, the two countries further solidified their partnership by signing the "Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement" (C-SIPA). This agreement serves as a cornerstone for enhanced cooperation in various areas, including defense, security, and economic development.

Strengthening Regional Security

The C-SIPA agreement is designed to promote stability and deter conflict in the region. By signing this agreement, the US and Bahrain are committed to enhancing their defense capabilities and interoperability. This includes integrating air and missile defense systems, increasing maritime domain awareness, and improving intelligence collaboration.

Bahrain has been a trusted partner in housing the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and the US Naval Forces Central Command. This presence has been vital in advancing US interests in the region, including countering piracy and terrorism and ensuring the free flow of commerce and energy resources through critical waterways like the Strait of Hormuz.

Economic Cooperation and Trade

The agreement also aims to bolster economic cooperation and trade between the two countries. The US and Bahrain already have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in place, which has led to a significant increase in bilateral trade. In 2021, two-way trade exceeded $2 billion, showcasing the growing economic partnership.

The C-SIPA agreement will build on this foundation by encouraging investments in global supply chain resilience and infrastructure. Additionally, it will promote the development and deployment of trusted technologies, particularly in the digital and ICT sectors, to support secure telecommunications networks.

Human Rights Concerns

While the agreement primarily focuses on security and economic cooperation, human rights remain an important aspect of the US-Bahrain relationship. The Biden-Harris Administration has emphasized that human rights are a key part of their strategic dialogue with Bahrain, and these concerns were discussed during the negotiations leading up to the agreement.

Bahrain has faced criticism for its human rights record, particularly following the regime's crackdown on Arab Spring demonstrators in 2011. While the US had reduced military aid during that time, it eventually restored security aid, recognizing Bahrain's progress on human rights reforms and reconciliation.

The signing of the strategic security and economic agreement between the US and Bahrain in 2023 represents a significant milestone in their longstanding partnership. By enhancing defense collaboration, promoting economic cooperation, and addressing human rights concerns, this agreement aims to create a more secure and prosperous Middle East, benefiting both countries and the broader region.

Bahrain hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and US Naval Forces Central Command

Bahrain has hosted the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet since 1946, with about 7,000 Americans based there. The Fifth Fleet is a military command that oversees American ships in the Middle East. The U.S. Navy leased part of the former British base, HMS Jufair, in 1971 when Bahrain gained full independence. It was renamed Administrative Support Unit, Bahrain, and then in 1999, it became the Naval Support Activity Bahrain to reflect its broader support role. The headquarters of the Fifth Fleet are located at the Naval Support Activity Bahrain base in Manama, Bahrain.

The U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) is the U.S. Navy element of the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM). It consists of the Fifth Fleet and several other subordinate task forces, including Combined Task Force 150 and Combined Task Force 158. The area of responsibility of NAVCENT includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea.

NAVCENT was established on January 1, 1983, along with the rest of USCENTCOM. The command of NAVCENT was initially given to a flag officer selectee based at Pearl Harbor, who was tasked with coordinating administrative and logistical support for U.S. naval forces in the Persian Gulf. An actual flag officer deployed to the region, known as the Commander, Middle East Force (COMMIDEASTFOR), retained operational control of U.S. naval forces in the Persian Gulf and effectively served as the naval component commander of USCENTCOM.

In 1990, during the first Gulf War, there was no numbered fleet within the USCENTCOM area of responsibility. However, by 1995, the senior U.S. Navy leadership deemed a new numbered fleet necessary, and the Fifth Fleet was reactivated after a 48-year hiatus. The Commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet (COMFIFTHFLT) now directs naval operations in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea.

Bahrain is a vital US partner in defence initiatives and regional security

Bahrain is a vital US partner in defense initiatives and regional security. The two countries have a history of military cooperation, with Bahrain hosting the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and the US Naval Forces Central Command since 1946. This presence allows the US to lead coalitions countering piracy and terrorism and supporting freedom of navigation and the flow of commerce and energy resources in the region.

Bahrain has been designated a Major Non-NATO Ally since 2002, which provides benefits such as potential participation in cooperative research and development, priority delivery of excess defense articles, and reciprocally-funded cooperative training. Bahrain is also a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and has participated in US-led military strikes against the Islamic State organization in Syria.

The US and Bahrain have signed a Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement, which expands defense and intelligence collaboration between the two countries. This agreement is a legally binding commitment by the US to consult and provide assistance to Bahrain in the face of imminent security threats. It also strengthens the coordination between their armed forces and the integration of intelligence capacities.

The US has provided Bahrain with military equipment and training to enhance its defense capabilities and interoperability with US forces. Since 2014, the US has supplied Bahrain with Foreign Military Financing, DoD military grant assistance, and International Military Education and Training. This support has improved Bahrain's ability to counter terrorism, boost maritime defenses, and enhance regional security and counterterrorism cooperation.

Bahrain's security forces have also supported the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, providing perimeter security at a military base. Additionally, Bahrain was the first Arab state to lead a Coalition Task Force patrolling the Gulf region and has joined the US-led International Maritime Security Construct to promote freedom of navigation.

The US has provided military financing and grant assistance to Bahrain

The United States has provided military financing and grant assistance to Bahrain, amounting to millions of dollars since 2014. Bahrain is a key military ally of the US in the Middle East, playing a crucial role in regional security initiatives. The US has offered military support to Bahrain through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system, direct commercial sales (DCS), and the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program.

Since 2014, Bahrain has received $22.5 million in Foreign Military Financing and $28.423 million in DoD military grant assistance from the US. This support has enabled Bahrain to acquire equipment and training, enhancing its ability to defend itself and collaborate effectively with US air and naval forces. The US assistance has also improved Bahrain's interoperability with US forces, strengthened regional security, and bolstered counterterrorism efforts.

The US has authorized the permanent export of over $389 million in defense articles to Bahrain through the DCS process since 2016. Gas turbine engines, surface vessels of war, and fire control/night vision devices are among the top categories of DCS transfers. Additionally, Bahrain has benefited from the EDA program, receiving significant defense articles such as the Oliver Hazard Perry-class ship Robert G. Bradley, M198 Howitzers, mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, and the Mark V Special Operations Craft.

The US-Bahrain military partnership is further strengthened by Bahrain's designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally since 2002. This status provides Bahrain with access to benefits such as cooperative research and development, priority delivery of excess defense articles, and reciprocally funded cooperative training. Bahrain hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and the US Naval Forces Central Command, underscoring the country's strategic importance to the US military presence in the region.

The US and Bahrain have also signed agreements, such as the 2023 Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement, to expand defense and intelligence collaboration. This agreement reflects the shared goal of building a more secure and prosperous region, enhancing stability and economic cooperation. Bahrain's support for US-led military coalitions, including the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, further underscores the country's importance as a US military ally.

The US has supplied Bahrain with defence articles via the direct commercial sales process

The United States and Bahrain have a history of strong military ties, with Bahrain being a key US military ally in the Middle East. Bahrain hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and the US Naval Forces Central Command, with thousands of US military personnel deployed in the country. The two countries have a shared goal of a stable, secure, and prosperous Middle East and Bahrain is a vital partner in various regional security initiatives.

Since 2016, the US has supplied Bahrain with defence articles via the direct commercial sales (DCS) process. The top categories of DCS to Bahrain include gas turbine engines, surface vessels of war, and fire control/night vision devices. The US has also authorized the permanent export of over $389 million in defence articles to Bahrain through this process.

The US-Bahrain relationship is further strengthened by Bahrain's participation in US-led military coalitions, such as the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and its support for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Bahrain was also the first Arab state to lead a Coalition Task Force patrolling the Gulf region and has been an active member of the coalition counter-piracy mission.

In addition to the DCS process, the US has active government-to-government sales cases with Bahrain under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system, amounting to $6.08 billion. Recent significant sales include the refurbishment of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class ship, the former Robert G. Bradley, and the provision of Patriot missile defence systems, F-16 aircraft upgrades, and AH-1Z attack helicopters, among other advanced weaponry.

The US has designated Bahrain as a Major Non-NATO Ally, which provides benefits such as potential participation in cooperative research and development, priority delivery of excess defence articles, and reciprocally-funded cooperative training. This designation further underscores the importance the US places on its relationship with Bahrain and its commitment to enhancing Bahrain's defence capabilities.

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