| Bahrain Defence Force | |
|---|---|
| قوة دفاع البحرين | |
 | |
| Founded | 1968; 57 years ago (1968) |
| Service branches |  Royal Bahraini Army Royal Bahraini Naval Force Royal Bahraini Air Force Royal Guard 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 |
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| Judiciary |
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| Administrative divisions(governorates) |
Related topics |
 Bahrain portal |
TheBahrain Defence Force (Arabic:قوة دفاع البحرين, abbreviatedBDF) is the military force of theKingdom of Bahrain. The Bahrain Defence Force is under the direct command and leadership of a commander-in-chief who holds the rank offield marshal. TheGovernment has a Minister of Defence Affairs, responsible for BDF representation in the Cabinet.
The BDF numbers about 18,000 personnel[3] and consists of theRoyal Bahraini Air Force,Royal Bahraini Army,Royal Bahraini Navy and theRoyal Guard. Apart from the BDF, the public security forces and the Coast Guard report to theMinistry of Interior.
In January 2008,Crown PrinceSalman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, was appointed as the Deputy Supreme Commander,[4] whileKhalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the BDF.[5] BDF's Chief of Staff is Lieutenant GeneralTheyab bin Saqer Al Noaimi.
The Bahrain Defence Force was established in 1968 by SheikhIsa 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 ofMons Officer Cadet School in 1969, was tasked with restructuring the Bahrain Defence Force.[6]
The Bahrain Defence Force participated in theGulf War,War on terror, andSaudi-led intervention in Yemen.[8][6]
The Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) numbers about 113,000 personnel.
