Bahrain Set to Receive 5 US-Made Military Patrol Boats

Local Editor

Bahrain is set to receive another five US-made military patrol boats later this year, a post on the US Federal Business Opportunities [FBO] website read.

The website's posts dated April 11 and 12 reported that the US Military Sealift Command was looking to charter cargo ships in order to transport the boats - known as the Mark V SOC [Special Operations Craft] - via Thessaloniki, Greece and the US naval base on Guam.

The delivery date to Bahrain is expected to be August 1.

The Mk V is a marine security/patrol/transport boat frequently used by the US Naval Special Warfare Command.

The Royal Bahrain Naval Force [RBNF] already has two Mk V boats.

Last month the new US administration approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Bahrain, lifting the human rights conditions that were initially attached to the deal.

The approval paved the way for Manama to purchase 19 warplanes from Lockheed Martin Corp. as well as receive improvements to other jets in the kingdom's fleet.

Rights groups warned Washington that the sale of weapons to Bahrain is tantamount to condoning Manama's abuses.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team