NEWTOWN, Conn. - The Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) is to embark on a comprehensive modernization plan to enhance the capabilities of both its fixed- and rotary-winged combat fleets.
Speaking at the IQPC International Military Helicopter conference in London, Colonel Salah Al Mansoor, Head of Planning, HQ, RBAF, said that the service is about to undertake a two-phased recapitalization program that will see some of its current inventory first upgraded, with new platform acquisitions to follow after.
He went on to announce that Phase One will see the upgrade of its Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters and F-16C/D platforms. The primary component of the RBAF helicopter inventory is the Bell AH-1 Cobra, first acquired in 1994. Ten refurbished ex-United States Army AH-1Es were later acquired in 1997, followed by 12 AH-1Fs in 2002 (delivered in two batches and arriving in 2005 and 2007, respectively). For this upgrade, the RBAF is looking to integrate new and modern weapons systems to improve the combat effectiveness and to enhance coalition interoperability.
Meanwhile, the RBAF's F-16C/D fighters, which have been operated by the force since 1990, will be integrated with a new generation of smart guided-weapons, new systems, advanced avionics and displays, new sensors, datalinks, and a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
Phase 2, the colonel said, will see the air force acquire a new attack helicopter type, as well as a new 'generation 4+' combat aircraft. In terms of the rotary-winged portion of this phase, Col Al Mansoor said that the RBAF has now entered into negotiations with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for T129 ATAK combat helicopters. Meanwhile, the fixed-wing portion of Phase 2 will see the RBAF look to acquire a new fighter aircraft type "beyond 2025", to augment the upgraded F-16s and replace the F-5s.
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