Royal Bahraini Air Force

Royal Bahraini Air Force

The Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) was formerly known as Bahrain Amiri Air Force (BAAF) but since the elections of 14 February 2002, the state became a monarchy and the Armed Forces were renamed accordingly. The air force had 650 personnel in 1992. [ [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/bhtoc.html A Country Study: Bahrain] , " [http://www.loc.gov/index.html Library of Congress] ".]

History

The air branch of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) was organized in 1977 and began flying helicopters. In 1986, F-5 fighter jets were acquired from the United States.

In 1987, the Bahrain Defense Force was reorganized into separate Army, Navy and Air force branches with the Air Wing becoming the Bahrain Amiri Air Force (BAAF). The delivery of a squadron of F-16s from 1990 marked a further increase in the capabilities of the air arm. The new F-16 unit was based at Shaikh Isa AB alongside the F-5s. On 2 August 1990 several aircraft from the Kuwait Air Force were evacuated to Bahrain during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. During the subsequent Gulf War, BAAF F-5s and F-16s first flew defensive missions on 25 January 1991 and began offensive operations the following day. The Gulf War ended on 28 February 1991.

A second batch of F-16s commenced delivery in 2000. The new aircraft were equipped to carry the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, first used by the USAF in the Gulf War. The original batch of F-16s received will be upgraded to carry the AMRAAM also. In July 2000, Bahrain signed a deal with BAE Systems to establish a pilot academy based around the Hawk trainer - similar to the NFTC in Canada. Subsequently, orders were placed for Slingsby T.67 Fireflys and BAE Hawk 100 trainers. The first trainers were delivered in October 2006." [http://www.scramble.nl/bh.htm Royal Bahraini Air Force] ", Scramble on the Web.]

Bahrain will buy 9 UH-60M helicopters; according to Sikorsky’s June 2007 announcement, they will cost up to $204 million with included add-ons, spares, and support. The helicopters will be used in a variety of roles, including combat search and rescue.

Incidents and accidents

One F-16 was lost on 27 September 2003 when Lieutenant Colonel Abdulaziz Snan Al Dossary crashed in the Persian Gulf, 46 miles north of Bahrain. [ [http://www.f-16.net/f-16_fighting_falcon_airframe-4467.html F-16.net :: F-16 Airframe Details - RBAF F-16C # 204 ] ]

Strength

The RBAF operates a total of 73 aircraft, including 32 jet combat aircraft and 38 helicopters.

! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service [ [http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/bahrain/index.php Bahraini military aviation OrBat] ] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
-----
Agusta-Bell 212 Twin Huey
ITA
Utility helicopter
AB212
12

-----
Bell AH-1 Cobra
USA
Attack helicopter
Total
AH-1E
AH-1P
TAH-1P
24
10
6
6|
-----
British Aerospace Hawk
UK
Advanced Lead-In Fighter Trainer
Hawk 129
6
-----
Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon
USA
Fighter
Total
F-16C
F-16D
20
16
4 [ [http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/bahrain/index.php Bahraini military aviation OrBat] ]

-----
MBB Bo 105
GER
Utility helicopter

3
Additional 2 Bo 105CBS-MSS operated by the navy.
-----
Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II
USA
Fighter
Total
F-5E
F-5F
12
8
4 [ [http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/bahrain/index.php Bahraini military aviation OrBat] ]

-----
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
USA
Utility helicopter
UH-60L
1

-----
Slingsby T-67 Firefly
UK
Trainer
T-67M
3

In addition, the Bahraini police operate 2 Bell 412 helicopters as well as 1 Bell 427.

References

External links

* [http://www.xairforces.net/airforces.asp?id=29 - Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) ]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Royal Bahraini Air Force — سلاح الجو الملكي البحريني Armoiries du Bahreïn Période 1977 Pays …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Bahrain Defence Force — Bahrain Defense Force Service branches Royal Bahraini Air Force Royal Bahraini Navy Royal Bahraini Army Bahrain Royal Medical Services Manpower Active personnel 9,000 (approximate) …   Wikipedia

  • Sheik Isa Air Base — Isa Air Base IATA: none – ICAO: OBBS Summary Airport type Military Operator Royal Bahraini Air Force Location …   Wikipedia

  • List of militaries by country — This is a list of militaries by country, including the main branches and sub branches. Note that some countries have no military. Contents: Top · 0–9 · A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X …   Wikipedia

  • Military beret — US Army Private wearing Black beret with Distinctive Unit Insignia (Unit Crest) on the US Army Beret Flash Berets have been a component of the uniforms of many armed forces throughout the world since the mid 20th century. Military berets are… …   Wikipedia

  • Liste des composantes aériennes militaires — Cette liste alphabétique des forces aériennes identifie les noms et cocardes actuels et historiques pour les branches aériennes militaires des pays qui ont une composante aérienne, qu il s agisse d une force aérienne indépendante, une force… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Bahrain — For the historical region, see Bahrain (historical region). For the island, see Bahrain Island. For the city in Iran, see Bahrain, Iran. For the town in Pakistan, see Bahrain, Pakistan. Kingdom of Bahrain مملكة البحر …   Wikipedia

  • Опознавательные знаки военно-воздушных сил — (флотов)  символы, наносимые на крылья, борта и вертикальное оперение самолётов, вертолётов и других летательных аппаратов, принадлежащих военно воздушным силам (флотам) с целью указания их государственной принадлежности. Большинство из… …   Википедия

  • Bahrain — <p></p> <p></p> Introduction ::Bahrain <p></p> Background: <p></p> In 1783, the Sunni Al Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a… …   The World Factbook

  • BAE Hawk — Infobox Aircraft name= Hawk caption=RAF BAE Hawk T.1 trainer type=Military trainer aircraft manufacturers= Hawker Siddeley British Aerospace (1977 1999) BAE Systems (1999 onwards) designer= first flight=1974 introduced= retired= status= primary… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”