UK base shores up ME security
It offers us a much better base than we’ve had before, a much more permanent presence and a real infrastructure for our people... working here UK’s Gen. Chris Deverell
manama — Britain has opened its first permanent military base in the Middle East in more than four decades in the Arabian Gulf country of Bahrain.
The facility, which was opened on Thursday, will house some 500 Royal Navy personnel, including sailors, soldiers and airmen.
The HMS Juffair naval facility gives Britain a more expansive, permanent presence in the region, where maritime security ensures oil shipments and goods make it from Asia to Europe.
The British first established the HMS Juffair base in 1935 in Bahrain, but the US took over the base after the small island nation gained its independence from the British Empire in 1971. Bahrain also plays host to the United States Navy’s 5th Fleet. —
manama — Britain opened its first permanent military base in the Middle East in more than four decades on Thursday in the Arabian Gulf country of Bahrain, giving the UK an expansive presence along key international shipping routes.
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 aim of the Royal Navy being out here anyway is to enhance and ensure the maritime security in the region, and whether or not that’s law and order on the high seas, countering piracy, countering terrorism, making sure that the high seas are all safe for the free-flow of commerce, the free flow of trade to be able to take place,” said Commodore Steve Dainton, UK Maritime Component Commander.
Bahrain, located off the coast of Saudi Arabia and just west of Iran, also plays host to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet. Tense encounters have occurred between US and Iranian naval forces in the Arabian Gulf, though military officials say provocations of US navy ships in recent months have halted.
The new British hub makes it easier for the Royal Navy to conduct longer-term deployments in the Arabian Gulf and will offer engineering and logistical support for ships. The facility includes sleeping accommodations, sport facilities and recreational areas for troops.
“It offers us a much better base than we’ve had before, a much more permanent presence and a real infrastructure for our people who are working and operating here all the time,” said Commander of the Joint Forces Command of the UK Gen. Chris Deverell. The British first established the HMS Juffair base in 1935 in Bahrain, but the US took over the base after the island nation gained its independence from the British Empire in 1971.
The aim of the Royal Navy being out here anyway is to enhance and ensure the maritime security in the region Commodore Steve Dainton, UK Maritime Component Commander