Bahrain Security Cooperation Improvement Act
Bill: S.4300 | Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted (R-TX)
Policy area: International Affairs

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.)

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.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Bahrain Security Cooperation 
Improvement Act''.

SEC. 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'') and the United States Naval Forces Central 
        Command;
            (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.

SEC. 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.
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