BDF, Coast Guard, RBNF hold “Kingdom Security 7”

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain Defence Force yesterday concluded a joint exercise “Kingdom Security 7” carried out with the Royal Bahrain Naval Force and the Coast Guard Command at the Ministry of Interior. The exercise was under the joint plans of the BDF and the Ministry of Interior to boost maritime security of Bahrain’s territorial waters.

It focused on procedures for information exchange between the Royal Bahrain Naval Force, the Bahrain Defence Force and the Coast Guard Command at the Ministry of Interior and other top tasks.

The “Security 7” comes close on the heels of the first drone drill by the US and Bahrain navies.

US Navy spokesman Tim Hawkins had said Tuesday’s drill with Bahrain -- dubbed “New Horizon” -- was part of efforts to help enhance maritime domain awareness, strengthen deterrence, and foster partnerships.

The exercise also marked the first time the US Navy was integrating unmanned surface vessels with manned ships at sea in the Middle East and the first time with a regional partner testing in Gulf water.

“We are putting a couple of unmanned surface vessels called MANTAS T-12 in the water,” he said.

“This will help us understand how we can use these vessels to enhance maritime domain awareness, which is critically important to maintaining regional stability and security.”