British naval base opened

Manama : Britain opened its first Naval Support Facility (NSF) at the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF)’s Mina Salman base yesterday. 

The official opening ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.

Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander-in-Chief of the BDF, Lieutenant General Dhiyab Bin Saqr Al Noaimi, the BDF Chief of Staff, senior BDF officers attended the ceremony. 

The HMS Juffair naval facility can house up to around 500 Royal Navy personnel, including sailors, soldiers and airmen, in a region where maritime security ensures oil shipments and goods make it from Asia to Europe. 

The new British hub will help the Royal Navy to conduct longer-term deployments in the Gulf and will offer engineering and logistical support for ships. 

The facility includes sleeping accommodations, sports facilities and recreational areas for troops.

HRH Crown Prince said that close cooperation with international partners and allies remains an essential component of Bahrain’s development programme led by HM King Hamad. 

The opening of the NSF represents an important milestone in Bahrain and the United Kingdom’s joint efforts to support regional security and stability, and a clear indication of the strength of relations between the two countries, HRH the Crown Prince said.          

NSF will serve common interests: Duke of York

Noting that the defence cooperation between the two countries has played a pivotal role in ensuring stability and peace in the Gulf region for over 90 years, HRH Crown Prince praised HM King Hamad’s continued support towards the bilateral relationship, which has deepened the friendship and cooperation across a range of areas.

The ceremony began with the playing of the national anthems of both countries, followed by an inspection of the guard of honour.

The Duke of York delivered a speech in which he highlighted the role of HM the King and HM Queen Elizabeth II in strengthening bilateral relations, and noted that the NSF will serve the common interests of both countries. The Duke emphasised both countries’ eagerness to further develop the horizons of cooperation, and expressed confidence in the growing partnership between Bahrain and the United Kingdom, wishing every success to the maritime arms in both the Kingdoms.

New chapter in defence

Speaking at the ceremony, Shaikh Khaled bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, noted that the launch of the NSF marks a new chapter in a defence relationship that has cemented ties between the two Kingdoms.

He affirmed that the strong partnership between the Royal Navy and the Royal Bahrain Naval Force forms an important component of bilateral ties between the two nations. In this regard, he praised the Royal Navy’s support to Bahrain and its allies both within the Gulf region and beyond.

The Duke of York toured the NSF facilities and unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.

The new British hub makes it easier for the Royal Navy to conduct longer-term deployments in the Gulf and will offer engineering and logistical support for ships. The facility includes sleeping accommodations, sport facilities and recreational areas for troops.

The port would also be able to service mine sweepers and aircraft carriers, though carriers like the HMS Queen Elizabeth will not be able to dock there because the water is too shallow.