Bahrain Defence Force

Bahrain Defence Force
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.bdf.bh
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 for Defence Affairs	Abdulla bin Hasan Al Nuaimi
Chief of Staff	Theyab bin Saqer Al Noaimi
Personnel
Active personnel	8,200
Expenditure
Budget	$1.5 billion (2022)
Percent of GDP	3.4% (2022)
Related articles
Ranks	Military ranks of Bahrain

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.

The BDF numbers about 18,000 personnel^[2] 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,^[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.

^ IISS (2023). The Military Balance 2023. pp. 318–319.
^ "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.

[1] IISS (2023). The Military Balance 2023. pp. 318–319.

[2] "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.

[3] "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.

[4] "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.

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