Bahrain



Air Force Pilot

A brief history of the nation's air forces
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Bahrain Amiri Air Force

Established in 1986 the Bahraini Air Force received its first Northrop F5E fighters that same year. Its current strength is one squadron of 8 F5E and 4 F5F, two fighter squadrons with 32 F16C/D, the older aircraft being upgraded to match the last 10 aircraft delivered in 2002. There is also a helicopter squadron with 12 armed AB 212's and anothr with 12 armed AH 1E Cobras. A Boeing 747 SP and a 727, two UH 60A/L Blackhawk, two Grumman Gulfstream 11/111 provide VIP transport. Other transports include two BO105's, an S70A and an Avro RJ85. Once the original F16 have finished their upgrades, the F5E's may be retired.

Bahrain is currently developing its own pilot training academy with British help.

Bahrain Naval Flying

The Bahrain Navy operates two Search and Rescue BO105's.



Abstracted from and copyright of Jane's Air Forces of the World