Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force
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| Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force | |
|---|---|
| القائد العام لقوة دفاع البحرين | |
 Flag of the Bahrain Defence Force | |
| Bahrain Defence Force | |
| Style | His excellency field marshal[1][2] |
| Type | Military |
| Member of | Ministry of Defence Affairs |
| Reports to | Supreme Commander, King of Bahrain |
| Appointer | King of Bahrain |
| Constituting instrument | Royal Decree[3] |
| Formation | 1968 |
| First holder | Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa |
The Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force is the military leader of the Bahrain Defence Force, operating under the supreme commander, a role constitutionally held by the king of Bahrain. The king, as supreme commander, holds the highest authority within the military structure.[4]
The commander-in-chief is responsible for command and control, overseeing the military operations and discipline in compliance with military procedures and the code of conduct established under the constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain.[5] The position is reportedly held by a field marshal;[6] however, the constitution of Bahrain lacks sufficient references to determine the eligibility criteria for the rank of commander-in-chief.
The position of commander-in-chief of the Bahrain Defence Force was established in 1968, following the formation of the Defence Force in August 1968. The position was created by a decree from the then Emir, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who appointed himself as the commander-in-chief on September 3, 1968, making him the first person to hold the rank.[7]
Constitutional status
The 2024 revised document of the constitution of Bahrain doesn't explicitly detail the responsibilities or appointment process of the commander-in-chief of the Bahrain Defence Force. However the position and its functions are explicitly governed by the Bahrain defence force law, promulgated by legislative decree No. 32 of 2002[8][9] and legislative decree No. (5) of 1987. This decree outlines the organizational structure, authority, and operational guidelines for the BDF.[8]
The 2024 legislative decree of the Bahrain constitution addresses the role of the commander-in-chief in Articles Three and Four. Article Three delineates responsibilities such as issuing decisions on military operations, administration, and pensions, as well as implementing legal provisions. Article Four assigns the duty of ensuring the implementation of laws within the jurisdiction.[10]
Appointment
The commander-in-chief of the Bahrain Defence Force is appointed by the king of Bahrain[11] under the section B of Article 1 of the legislative decree No. (5) of 1987.[5] The appointment order is implemented by the deputy supreme commander of the Bahrain Defence Force, crown prince and the prime minister.[3]
