MANAMA, (Sputnik) – "The presence of the Royal Navy in Bahrain is guaranteed into the future, ensuring Britain’s sustained presence east of Suez," British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said at the ceremony alongside Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.
1/2: Work starts today on new @RoyalNavy base at Mina Salman #Bahrain. East of Suez presence https://t.co/IxoOb8C36A pic.twitter.com/84RhxvKZD2
— Philip Hammond (@PHammondMP) October 31, 2015
Khalifa, meanwhile, said the new Royal Navy base aims to uphold regional security and is not aimed against a specific state.
Speaking at last year’s IISS Manama Dialogue where construction of the base was announced, Hammond said the new Royal Navy facility would accommodate Britain’s two new aircraft carriers and F-35 stealth fighters.
Four of Britain’s minesweepers are currently based at the US Navy base in the port of Mina Salman.