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Royal Bahrain Navy Ship SABHA (FFG-90)

Bahrain is eligible to receive grant “excess defense articles” (EDA). The United States transferred the FFG-7 “Perry class” frigate Sabha [also seen as Subha and Sobha] as EDA in July 1997. The frigate project (Sabha), which began with several training programs to qualify cadres, these programs included various technical disciplines, arrived on the homeland on July 9, 1997 the ship of the Kingdom of Bahrain frigate (Sabha) after it cut the world's largest ocean and docked in Many ports. A large celebration was held on this occasion with the participation of many official and popular bodies.

On the morning of Monday, July 21, 1997, Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa preferred his honor, including the celebration of the inauguration of the frigate Sobha, marking her entry into service in the Royal Bahraini Navy, an achievement in addition to the achievements achieved in order to Upgrading various weapons and units of the defence force.

RBNS Sabha Air Defense Frigate has a full-displacement of 4,200 tons and a maximum speed of 29 knots and two helicopters that are excellent. The military armament includes is Otomera mk75 76mm gun 1 gate 324mm mk.32 torpedo launch tube 2nd stage, CIWS, 12.7mm machine guns. The ship is equipped with the Harpoon SSM and SM-1MR Standard Missile, which provide enormous naval power that will not be inferior to neighboring countries.

In 2009 Bahrain expressed interest in whether the US would be able to transfer a second Perry-class frigate to Bahrain under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program. Bilateral discussions on this issue had been on-going since 2002, with the USG initially projecting that such a ship would be available within 5 years. Citing concerns about the operational capacity of its existing Perry-class frigate the RBNS Sabha, Bahrain reiterated the need for assistance in order to continue its support of coalition operations.

The US State Department made a determination July 26, 2018 approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Bahrain of items and services in support of Follow-On Technical Support (FOTS) for the Royal Bahrain Navy Ship SABHA (FFG-90) for an estimated cost of $70 million.

The Government of Bahrain requested to buy items and services in support of Follow-On Technical Support (FOTS) for the Royal Bahrain Navy Ship SABHA (FFG-90), formerly the USS Jack Williams (FFG-24), transferred as Excess Defense Article on September 13, 1996. Also includes engineering, technical, and logistics services, documentation, and modification material for U.S. Navy supplied systems and equipment and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated program value is $70 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a regional partner which is an important security partner in the region. Bahrain intends to use this support in order to keep the ship in operational readiness status for coastal defense and security. Bahrain will have no difficulty absorbing this support into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. There is no prime contractor involved in this proposed sale. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

According to the State Department’s FY2012 budget request, the U.S. Navy was supporting providing another frigate (an “extended deck frigate”) to Bahrain as EDA because the Subha was approaching the end of its service life. As an island nation dependent on keeping sea lanes open, Bahrain was interested in strengthening its Navy by requesting, as excess, an FFG-7 frigate from the US for antisubmarine warfare missions.

The US State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Bahrain to refurbish the Oliver Hazard Perry Class ship, ex ROBERT G. BRADLEY (FFG 49) with support for an estimated cost of $150 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 22, 2019. The Government of Bahrain has requested refurbishment of the Oliver Hazard Perry Class ship, ex ROBERT G. BRADLEY (FFG 49), spares, support, training, publications, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $150 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of an important ally which is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. This sale is consistent with U.S. initiatives to provide key allies in the region with systems that will enhance interoperability with U.S. forces and increase security. The proposed sale will refurbish and support the grant transfer of the Oliver Hazard Perry Class ship, ex ROBERT G. BRADLEY (FFG 49), which was authorized for transfer under Public Law 115-232, Section 1020. Bahrain already operates another Oliver Hazard Perry Class ship. Bahrain will have no difficulty absorbing these defense articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor supporting the refurbishment has not yet been selected for this potential sale. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.