Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what changes in their defence strategy led to their decision to open a naval base in Bahrain.

The Ministry of Defence has had a Naval Base in Bahrain since the 1950s; UK mine-hunters are based there and British destroyers and frigates in the Gulf are supported from there. Under the new arrangement, signed at the Manama Dialogue, the UK and Bahrain committed to working together to enhance the existing facilities at the port. The agreement reaffirms the UK's and Bahrain's joint determination to maintain regional security and stability in the face of long-standing and emerging regional challenges.