Bahrain commits to joining US-led Falcon Strike task force, buying more air defense systems

Bahrain has committed to joining the US Central Command’s Task Force Falcon Strike and purchasing additional US munitions and air defense systems, the US Embassy in Manama said Friday.

The commitment was made during a Military Consultative Committee meeting held Wednesday and Thursday co-chaired by US Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary Michael DiMino and Bahraini Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Abdullah bin Hassan Al-Nuaimi, the embassy said on US social media company X.

“Bahrain committed to join USCENTCOM’S Task Force Falcon Strike and purchase more U.S. munitions and air defense systems,” the embassy said.

The steps would strengthen Bahrain’s efforts to become “stronger, more interoperable, and more capable of providing for its own defense,” it added.

The US military’s CENTCOM announced the creation of Falcon Strike in August, describing it as the first multinational, multidomain task force for attack drones. On Aug. 13, it said US and allied personnel would operate one-way attack drones and unmanned systems in the air, on the sea surface and underwater.

Bahrain’s commitment comes amid efforts by the US and regional partners to strengthen defense coordination in the Gulf as tensions in the region rise.

Manama hosted a security dialogue involving 12 countries in July that addressed defense cooperation and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.