Bahrain Army

The Royal Bahraini Army functions as the ground force component of the Bahrain Defence Force, operating under the command of the General Command headquartered in Manama, with main garrisons situated at Riffa. Operational leadership is held by the Commander-in-Chief and the Chief of Staff. The primary combat structure is organized around three brigade-level formations: the 1st Armoured Brigade, the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, and the 1st Artillery Brigade. Subordinate units include two armored battalions, two mechanized infantry battalions, a motorized infantry battalion, six artillery batteries, a reconnaissance battalion, an air defense battalion, and a special forces battalion.

Armored units operate M60A3 Patton main battle tanks. Mechanized infantry is equipped with YPR-765 infantry fighting vehicles, M113 armored personnel carriers, and Panhard M3 armored personnel carriers. Reconnaissance and light infantry forces field French AML-90 armored cars and Turkish Otokar Cobra and Arma wheeled tactical vehicles. Ground-based artillery formations operate M109 and M110 self-propelled howitzers, M198 towed 155 mm howitzers, L118 105 mm light guns, and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems. Air defense capabilities feature surface-to-air missile platforms including MIM-23 Hawk systems, Patriot PAC-3 MSE batteries, Crotale point-defense systems, RBS 70 man-portable air defense systems, and Oerlikon 35 mm twin anti-aircraft guns. Rotary-wing battlefield support is provided through joint coordination with air force assets operating AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters and UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters.

The army's core operational responsibilities include territorial defense of the Kingdom of Bahrain, domestic infrastructure security, and mutual defense commitments under the Gulf Cooperation Council framework. Combat experience includes participation in coalition operations during the Gulf War as part of Joint Forces Command East. Ground units, comprising armored, mechanized, and infantry detachments, subsequently deployed to southern Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Marib Province during the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, conducting cross-border security operations and combat engagements.

Modernization relies on foreign defense procurements rather than indigenous defense manufacturing. Primary acquisition efforts focus on upgrading ground combat systems and air defense networks. Recent foreign procurement programs include agreements for M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks, Patriot PAC-3 MSE air defense batteries, and additional wheeled armored platforms from international suppliers.