Bahrain and France have signed a bilateral defence agreement to strengthen military cooperation, strategic intelligence sharing and defence industry collaboration. The deal, announced by the office of French President Emmanuel Macron, highlights growing France–Gulf security ties amid heightened Middle East geopolitical tensions.
The agreement was finalised during King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s visit to Paris and reflects Bahrain’s effort to diversify defence partnerships beyond its long-standing security relationship with the United States, which maintains the US Fifth Fleet in Manama.
French officials described the pact as a broader political and security commitment designed to enhance regional stability and strengthen cooperation in protecting critical maritime routes.
Key developments:
• Expansion of strategic intelligence sharing on regional security threats and cybersecurity
• Increased joint naval and air force military exercises
• French technical support for Bahrain’s defence systems and military modernisation
• Cooperation to secure shipping lanes in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Aden, and Strait of Hormuz
• Alignment with France’s role in the European Maritime Awareness mission in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH)
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