| Military branches | Bahrain Defense Force (BDF): Royal Bahraini Army (includes the Royal Guard), Royal Bahraini Navy, Royal Bahraini Air Force; Ministry of Interior: National Guard, Special Security Forces Command (SSFC), Coast Guard (2021) note: the Royal Guard is officially under the command of the Army, but exercises considerable autonomy |
| Military service age and obligation | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2019) |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 4% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.7% of GDP (2019) 4.1% of GDP (2018) 4.3% of GDP (2017) 4.7% of GDP (2016) |
| Military and security service personnel strengths | information varies; approximately 10,000 active personnel (7,500 Army; 1,000 Navy; 1,500 Air Force); est. 3,000 National Guard (2021) |
| Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the inventory of the Bahrain Defense force is comprised mostly of equipment acquired from the US along with a smaller quantity of material from European suppliers; since 2010, the US is the leading supplier of arms to Bahrain (2020) |
Source: CIA World Factbook
This page was last updated on September 18, 2021
