战略与国际研究中心-The-Gulf-Military-Forces-in-an-Era-of-Asymmetric-War_-Bahrain_28页_2mb

Summary of "The Gulf Military Forces in an Era of Asymmetric War: Bahrain"

Core Content

Bahrain is a small island nation in the Gulf, with a total area of 655 square kilometers. It is transitioning from a petroleum-dependent economy to a "post-petroleum" state, with oil and gas still contributing significantly to its GDP and government revenues, but the country is largely exhausted in terms of its natural resources. The U.S. provides de facto security guarantees to Bahrain, and the country hosts the U.S. 5th Fleet, which is a key strategic asset. Bahrain also benefits from Saudi Arabia's support, including economic aid and potential military reinforcement.

Main Points

Strategic Importance

• Location: Bahrain is strategically located in the Southern Gulf, with access to major oil fields and ports in Saudi Arabia, and proximity to Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait.
• Military Role: It serves as a key logistical and operational hub for U.S. and Gulf forces, and is a home port for the U.S. 5th Fleet.
• Historical Claims: Iran has historical claims to Bahrain, which has led to tensions and support for Bahraini Shi'ite dissidents.

Military Structure

• Total Military Personnel: Combined military, paramilitary, and security forces total around 21,360 men in 2006.
• Armed Forces: Includes an army of 8,500, a navy of 1,200, and an air force of 1,500.
• Security Forces: Composed of 9,000 national police, 260 coast guard personnel, and 900 national guard soldiers.

Military Capabilities

• Army: Equipped with 180 M-60A3 tanks, 25 Dutch YPR-765 AIFVs, 235 APCs, and various artillery systems. It has 1 armored brigade, 1 infantry brigade, 1 artillery brigade, and special forces units.
• Air Force: Maintains 33 combat aircraft, including 17-18 F-16C/D fighters and 24 attack helicopters. It has a moderate to good pilot training system and has modernized its air capabilities.
• Navy: Comprised of 1 frigate (Sabah), 2 corvettes (Al Maanama), 4 missile patrol boats (Ahmed El Fateh), and 4 inshore patrol craft. It has a strong capability in defending against piracy and smuggling, but lacks sufficient anti-submarine warfare (ASW) assets.

Key Information

Military Spending

• Defense Budget: Bahrain spends 4-5% of its GDP on defense, with a total budget of around $526 million in 2005.
• Arms Imports: The U.S. is Bahrain's largest military partner, delivering $1.1 billion in arms between 1993 and 2004. It has focused on modernizing its military along defensive lines and enhancing interoperability with U.S. forces.

Arms Inventory

• Tanks and APCs: Modernized from 54 M-60A3 tanks in 1990 to 180 in 2006, and APCs reduced from 340 to 235.
• Artillery: Reduced from 101 in 2000 to 43 in 2006, but includes advanced systems like the ATACM tactical missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers.
• Anti-Aircraft Systems: Includes 6-8 I-Hawk SAM launchers, 18-20 Stinger missiles, and 60 RBS-70 portable SAMs. It has not yet developed a fully integrated air defense system with Gulf neighbors.

Internal Security and Political Context

• Sectarian Tensions: Bahrain has a Sunni monarchy ruling a Shi'ite majority population. This has led to internal security challenges, especially with Shi'ite groups seeking more political and economic power.
• Reforms: Shaikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa initiated political reforms, including the "National Action Charter" in 2001, which was endorsed by 94.8% of voters. However, these reforms have not prevented internal security issues.

Military Manpower Trends

• Manpower Growth: The army increased from 5,000 to 8,500 between 1990 and 2000. The air force expanded from 450 to 1,500, and the navy from 600 to 1,200.
• Training and Readiness: Bahrain has moderate to good training and readiness levels, but relies heavily on expatriates for technical roles.

Future Outlook

• Dependence on U.S.: Bahrain depends on the U.S. for battle management, air control, and targeting support.
• Modernization: The country has focused on modernizing its military, especially in the air and naval domains, but faces challenges in maintaining and supporting its diverse arsenal.

Conclusion

Bahrain's military is relatively small for its strategic importance, but it is well-equipped and modernized, particularly in the air and naval domains. The country relies heavily on U.S. security guarantees and has a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia. Despite internal sectarian tensions and limited military deployment capability, Bahrain is well-prepared to defend itself against regional threats, especially from Iran and Qatar. The military is well-structured and has made progress in modernization, though it continues to depend on foreign support for certain technical aspects.