Bahrain Security Cooperation Improvement Act

To express the sense of Congress on security cooperation with Bahrain and to require a report on capabilities upgrades for the Fifth Fleet, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Bahrain Security Cooperation Improvement Act 2. Sense of Congress on security cooperation with Bahrain It is the sense of Congress that— (1) it is in the national security interests of the United States to maintain a strong relationship with Bahrain and to support the military efforts of Bahrain; (2) Bahrain has a critical role as the host of the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet (referred to in this Act as the Fifth Fleet (3) Bahrain is a major defense and security cooperation partner of the United States, as recognized in 2002 by the designation of Bahrain as a major non-NATO ally of the United States; (4) the number of exchanges between defense and law enforcement officials of the United States and Bahrain at the strategic, policy, and tactical levels should be increased for purposes of— (A) enhancing cooperation on defense planning; (B) improving intelligence sharing to combat terrorism; and (C) improving interoperability between the Ministry of Interior of Bahrain and the Fifth Fleet; (5) the United States should ensure Bahrain has appropriate capabilities with respect to its air, missile, and unmanned aerial systems defense assets to support peace efforts in the area of responsibility of the Fifth Fleet; (6) it is important for the United States to be a source of consistent and reliable defense assets for Bahrain; (7) the United States should deepen interoperability with Bahrain with respect to defense capabilities, including— (A) maritime and air domain awareness; (B) integrated air and missile defense systems; and (C) counter-unmanned aircraft system measures; (8) to the extent practicable, the Secretary of Defense should prioritize the inclusion of Bahrain in military exercises so as to increase security cooperation between, and the readiness of, Bahrain and the United States; and (9) it is in the best interests of the United States and Bahrain to work together to oppose terrorism and radical extremism in the Middle East. 3. Report on Fifth Fleet capabilities upgrades (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees (as defined in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code) a report on— (1) capabilities upgrades necessary to enable the Fifth Fleet to address emerging threats in its area of responsibility; and (2) any costs associated with such upgrades. (b) Element The report required by subsection (a) shall include an assessment of Department of Defense efforts— (1) to increase the number of exchanges between defense and law enforcement officials of the United States and Bahrain at the strategic, policy, and tactical levels for purposes of— (A) enhancing cooperation on defense planning; (B) improving intelligence sharing to combat terrorism; and (C) improving interoperability between the public security forces of Bahrain and the Fifth Fleet; (2) to ensure that Bahrain has appropriate capabilities with respect to its air, missile, and unmanned aerial systems defense assets to support peace efforts in the area of responsibility of the Fifth Fleet; and (3) to deepen interoperability with Bahrain with respect to defense capabilities, including— (A) maritime and air domain awareness; (B) integrated air and missile defense systems; and (C) counter-unmanned aircraft system measures.

Summary: Bahrain Security Cooperation Improvement Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to report to Congress on (1) the upgrades necessary to enable the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet to address emerging threats in its area of responsibility, and (2) DOD efforts to increase defense and law enforcement exchanges between the United States and Bahrain. (Bahrain hosts the Fifth Fleet.)