Ministers and Chief of the Defence Staff visit Mina Salman Support Facility

The Minister for Defence Procurement and the Minister for the Middle East restated the UK's enduring commitment to the Kingdom of Bahrain visiting the Welfare Building of the future facility at the Mina Salman port, Bahrain on 10 December 2016 in the company of the Chief of the Defence Staff.

The building, formally opened in November by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, forms part of the future Bahrain support facility which is due to enter service in 2017. 

United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander Commodore William Warrender welcomed the Ministers to the site and led the group accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach. 

The visitors toured the facility and met with naval personnel deployed to the region. 

"Bahrain and the UK have an enormously strong and enduring history of cooperation in the Gulf region, celebrating its 200th anniversary this year," said Captain Tom Guy, Deputy United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander.

"This facility clearly demonstrates the UK's commitment to its future permanent presence in the Gulf while providing our Service personnel based in Bahrain with modern, comfortable accommodation and a really good quality of life."

The new establishment will play a central role in enhancing the Royal Navy's ability to operate in the region and reaffirms the UK's determination to work with Bahrain to maintain security and stability in the Gulf.

On completion of the tour of the Welfare building the distinguished guests progressed on to HMS Chiddingfold where they met members of the Ship's Company.