The Royal Air Force of Bahrain conducted an air defense exercise with
the United Arab Emirates this month. The two militaries were said to have
focused on the U.S.-origin Hawk air defense battery, manufactured by
Raytheon.
"This goes hand-in-hand with the development of modern weapons
technology," Bahraini commander Gen. Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said.
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The exercise took place in the UAE on March 8 and was deemed part of
military cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Manama, Middle East Newsline reported. Officials said the
exercise facilitated interoperability as well as air defense skills.
Bahrain has sought to modernize its military amid unprecedented Shi'ite
unrest in the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom. Officials said the effort
was focused on enhancing the Air Force, based on U.S.-origin F-16 multi-role
fighters.
Manama has one of the smallest militaries in the GCC. Bahrain has been
bolstered by a significant U.S. military presence, including that of the
Navy's Fifth Fleet.