Bahrain, Lockheed Martin celebrate ongoing defence cooperation

Manama, Nov. 15 (BNA): On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa today attended a reception hosted by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics at the Ritz Carlton commemorating 30 years of partnership with Bahrain’s Defence Force (BDF). HH Shaikh Isa welcomed three decades of strong relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, underpinned by a joint commitment to global security and prosperity. HH Shaikh Isa went on to highlight the extensive and mutually supportive relationship Bahrain enjoys with its global defence partners and reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing BDF’s combat readiness. HH Shaikh Isa later underscored the importance of cultivating defence research and development to ensure the mitigation of global threats. Bahrain recently signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin to supply the BDF with the latest F-16 Block 70 Fighting Falcon, one of the world’s most capable fourth-generation fighter aircraft. Bahrain is the first nation to procure this new configuration of Fighting Falcon. The Minister of Defence Affairs Lieutenant General H.E. Yousef bin Ahmed bin Hussain Al Jalahma, Commander of the Royal Bahraini Air Force Major General H.E. Shaikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the United States of America to Bahrain the Honourable Justin Siberell and Lockheed Martin’s Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group Mr. Rod McLean also attended the event.