The fastest growth in defense spending these days, and for the foreseeable future, is in the Persian Gulf. That's because of tensions between the Arab states there, and Iran. And then there's all that oil wealth. Angry people with lots of money are a perfect environment for an arms race in Persian Gulf region.

The nations that spend the most of their GDP on defense are also the wealthiest Saudi Arabia spends 9.64 percent, The GCC states will soon account for ten percent of the world total defense spending. This is a lot, especially when you consider that there are only 97 million Gulf Arabs (1.5 percent of the world total). The U.S. spends 4 percent of GDP on defense, while China spends 2.7 percent, France 2.4 percent, Britain 2.3 percent and Russia 2.7 percent.

Saudi –Arabia defense budget of $25.4 billion corresponds to $ 962 per capita, spending by Oman of $3.02 billion equates to $1,007 per head and the UAE's $2.65 billion expenditure works out at $1,035 each for its 2.56 million inhabitants. The ratio is even higher for Kuwait, an equivalent of $1,856 per head for its $4.27 billion defense budget in 2005. In Qatar, the cost reaches $ 2,538 per capita to make up its $3.02 billion expenditure.

In terms of the country's GDP, Iran's defense spending works out at only 3.76 percent, higher than only than the UAE's 2.23 percent among Persian Gulf countries. Expenditure in Bahrain, which is equivalent to $764 per capita, is 4.1 percent of GDP. In Qatar it is 6.19 percent, in Kuwait 6.24 percent, in Saudi Arabia 8.44 percent and in Oman 9.64 percent. In 2002-2006, for example, only about 10-11 percent of Gulf Cooperation Council foreign assets ($60 billion) were invested in the Middle East and North Africa.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia have also labored to build up their indigenous military industries, often through technology transfer and offset agreements that accompany.Any new arms procurement deal. Another important aspect is the fierce competition between arms suppliers to the region, which gives countries in the region considerable leverage.

Saudi Arabia, for example, whose navy traditionally relied on French systems and whose air defense is a mix of US and French systems, has connected with the UK in the Typhoon deal. Another contender in the Gulf arms market is Russia, which sold IFVs and air defense systems in the region.Numbers of weapon systems and their performances indicate that the Arab Gulf states enjoy a clear advantage over Iran in the critical areas of air and naval power.

A recent study by Frost & Sullivan on ‘The Persian Gulf region Defense Market’ reveals that the defence spending in the Persian Gulf region is expected to surpass US$100 billion by 2014. The area has long served as a fertile market for Russian and Western weaponry.

The Gulf sits geopolitical rivals: the Islamic Republic of Iran and six Arab nations that form a loose economic and defense partnership known as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC countries look upon Iran with wariness and skepticism, viewing the Persian nation as a strategic rival bent on regional hegemony.

How to iron out the tensions that have renewed an arms build-up along the Gulf without
Firing any of the accumulating bombs and guns is any one’s guess. But the reasons
Behind those growing tensions are very real. “When you build a military, you have to
Think of what you’re building it for,” “You’re under a certain threat.
Otherwise investing the money in other venues would be much more productive.”

But the GCC has a lot to gain by staying on Tehran’s good side – and vice versa. Official figures suggest that Iranians have sunk between $250 billion and $500 billion worth of
Investment into the Gulf economies (they also make up a sizeable chunk of the UAE’s
Workforce).Dubai. “They might need to be ready and prepared to defend their
Populations and economic assets. [But] they believe in deterrence, only.” . For Iran, both the war in Afghanistan and the one in Iraq have been great news, because they erased two of its neighborhood rivals (Saddam Hussein, Taliban)

“The first Gulf war really put the GCC countries on their hind legs,” Part of the reason arms sales in the region are proliferating has to do with American Foreign policy. The US, which exports vastly more weapons than any other country, sold the more than half its arms acquisitions Persian Gulf region between 1999 and 2006. Saudi Arabia and the UAE got nearly as much Congress-approved American military hardware during that period as did Israel, which has long been considered Washington’s top priority when it comes to sending sophisticated American-made armaments overseas.

The transformation of Iraq from mortal enemy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to a friendly state represents an epochal shift in Iran's security position in the region. The UAE isn’t alone in its military aspirations. Forecast International, an American consulting firm, says defense spending across the GCC has swollen from $31 billion in 2003 to $50 billion in 2007. When their investments are combined the six countries of the GCC - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE - spent nearly $55 billion on defense and security purposes in 2008.In 2009 they are going to spend more money than 2008, now trends going to change nuclear power policy are going to Replace Conventional arms in Persian Gulf region.

The UAE, which had no defense relationship with the US to speak of until then, began Looking for closer cooperation with Washington. In the summer of 1994, the two countries signed a bilateral defense pact. Abu Dhabi began buying, and it hasn’t looked back since

The UAE (United Arab Emirates) has become the third largest importer of weapons in the world. The UAE is a confederation of small Arab states at the southern end of the Persian Gulf With a population of only 5.5 million, and large oil and gas deposits, the emirates have a per-capita income of $43,000. Thus the UAE has a lot to defend, and an increasingly belligerent neighbor just across the Gulf. The UAE controls one side the entrance to the Gulf (the Straits of Hormuz). Iran is on the other end, and both nations dispute ownership of some islands in the middle.

The Emirates purchased a total of $11.5 billion in defense sales and services from the United States from 2000-2007. A good chunk of this went to the purchase of the F-16s - the 80 F-16s along with the more than 60 Mirage 2000 fighters give the Emirates more advanced fighter planes than Iran.

The UAE used the FMS channel to place requests potentially worth roughly $10 billion through 2008, including one for the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense system (THAAD) that could reach nearly $7 billion. Though the largest, the U.S. is not the only arms supplier to the region The UAE wants to defend itself from potential Iranian aggression. To that end, they are spending $7 billion on American THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) anti-missile systems to protect itself against the growing arsenal of Iranian ballistic missiles. The GulfSAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellites will use an orbit that will cover an area 43 degrees north and south of the Equator. The UAE is also spending billion on armored vehicles, artillery and other equipment for their ground forces. More billions being spent on bases, training, support and logistics

The UAE is also buying lots of aircraft, including 80 U.S. F-16s and 50 French Mirage 2000-9 fighters. Over the last five years, US arms sales to the UAE have included ship-to-air missiles,Black Hawk assault helicopters and anti-tank missiles. The largest and most well publicized deal was for 80 F-16 fighter jets worth $8 billion. The first shipment of 10 jets, which were flown home by UAE pilots trained at the Air National Guard base in Tucson, Arizona, arrived in 2005. (Now the UAE is hunting for European-made Mirage fighter jets.)

An adequate air refueling capability is being established through the acquisition of three A330 MRTTs. Conversion of the first aircraft for the UAE Air Force will start at Airbus Military''s plant in Getafe in January 2010 for delivery in 2011, and unlike the approach being requested for the RAFALEs even the two followـon aircraft will be converted in Spain. Another new capability being created involves maritime patrol. Two DASH 8ـ315s were acquired on the secondـhand market during 2007, and these are to be converted for maritime surveillance roles by Thales and Provincial Aerospace Ltd. (PAL) under a 1.071 billion United Arab Emirates dirhams (some 206 million euro) contract. The conversion package includes most notably a comprehensive mission system based on the Thales Airborne Maritime Situation Control System (AMASCOS) series.

The UAE Air Force is also to significantly expand its currently modest tactical airlift capability, and create a new strategic airlift capability through the planned purchase of twelve Lockheed Martin Cـ130J and four Boeing Cـ17 transport aircraft, at an estimated total value of AED 5.9 + 4.3 billion (some $2.8 billion). Then there are munitions, 1,300 American laser and GPS guided bombs. Several warships are also on the way. the UAE air defense forces is acquiring the latest version of Patriot SAMs, including the anti ballistic PAC-3 missiles, the Avenger and SL-AMRAAM for point defense. The Emiri Army will procure ATACMS ballistic missiles, as a part of a deal that also includes MLRS and GMLRS rockets. The navy is awaiting its first Baynunah corvettes, the first of which is expected to enter service in 2009. These corvettes will be equipped with Excocet MM-40 block III anti ship missiles as well as RIM- 7 and SeaSparrow anti aircraft and anti missile systems.

One example is the Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company, which was founded in 1995 and
Underwent a big expansion in 2002. It manufactures vessels for GCC navies and coast
Guards. Early in 2007, a firm called Caracal International became the UAE’s first small arms producer when it won contracts to supply pistols for the country’s police and
Armed forces. Less than a year later, two other companies announced a joint venture to
build the UAE’s first munitions plant in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Military City. If everything
Goes according to plan, the Al Burkan Munitions Factory should start pumping out
bombs for the Air Force in 2009, and munitions for the Navy and Army by 2010
Since the GCC houses about 40,000 American troops, and because its governments are seen as friendly toward the US, Tehran has threatened to do whatever it can to destabilize them if tensions boil over.

The Pentagon’s government-to-government foreign military sales (FMS) channel and involve a $20 billion, ten-year FMS package put forward by the Bush administration in 2007.

Foreign Military Cooperation
Foreign forces France (500), Italy (100), US (Some 110 soldiers), Forces deployed abroad Lebanon (de-mining).Joint maneuvers Egypt (2001), France (2007), GCC countries (2002), Jordan (2001), Turkey (2002), UK (2007), US (2007). Security agreement -France (2007), Germany, India (2003), NATO (2006), Pakistan (2006), Yemen (2005).

Arms Procurement and Security Assistance Received
Austria -Cooperation in arms production S-100 al-Saber UAVs (2006). Belgium - Cooperation in arms production Iguana APCs (2006), upgrading of OF-40 MBTs (2006). Denmark -Arms transfers Naval surveillance radar (2005).Finland - Arms transfers AMV IFVs (2008).France -Arms transfers Mirage 2000-9 combat aircraft (2004),
Leclerc tanks (2006), MM40 Exocet SSMs (2008), VBL LAVs (2004), A244 torpedoes (2005), Black Shaheen ALCM (2005), Mica AAMs (2005) , Milan ATGMs (2004), A330 MRTT tanker (2008), Damocles targeting pods (2007), AS-365 Duophin helicopter (2007) Cooperation in arms production Baynunah MFPBs (2005)


Germany -Arms transfers Naval systems (2004), Fuchs 2 NBC vehicles (2007), upgrading of communication systems (2005), Kortenaer frigates (2006), Type 332 mine-hunters (2006), Cobra artillery radar (2009) Military training Trainees in Germany (2005), foreign advisers, instructors (2005).India - Military training Trainees in India (2007).Italy - Arms transfers Machine-gun turrets (2004), FCS for corvettes (2004), upgrading of helicopters (2005), AW139 helicopters (2007), M- 346 trainer aircraft (2009)
Jordan- Cooperation in arms production Tiger RV (2007).Romania - Arms transfers Upgrading of IAR-330 Puma helicopters (2006).Russia - Arms transfers AN-124 aircraft (2004), Pantsir-S1 AD systems (2008) , upgrading of BMP-3 IFVs (2007), Kornet-E ATGMs (2007), RGP-29 (2007) Singapore - Arms transfers 120mm SRAMS mortars (2008) South Africa- Arms transfers EW systems for helicopters (2005), naval warning systems (2004), RG-31 APCs (2007) , RG-12 APCs (2008). South Korea - Arms transfers Tactical UAVs (2005), 120mm MMS mortars (2007).

Spain - Arms transfers C-295 maritime patrol aircraft (2005- suspended)
Sweden -Arms transfers Naval surveillance radar (2004) Cooperation in arms production APID-55 UAVs (2005) Switzerland - Arms transfers Minewolf mine-clearing vehicles (2008) Turkey -Arms transfers TR-122 MRLs (2007), ACV-S APCs (2007), TR-300 MRLs (2009) Ukraine - Arms transfers An-32 aircraft (2007).

US -Arms transfers RIM-7 Sea Sparrow naval SAMs (2008), Thuraya satellites (2006), upgrading AH- 64D helicopters (2007), Javelin ATGMs (2008), TAS aerostat system (2005), S-70 Blackhawk helicopters (2008), HIMARS MRLs (2006), ATACAM missiles (2006), RAM SAMs (2007), AGM-114L3/N Hellfire missiles (2008), E-2C AEW
aircraft (2007), Patriot PAC-3 SAMs (2008), AMRAAM AAMs (2009), JDAM (2007), Paveway-2/3 laser-guided bombs (2007), CBU-105 SFW (2007), THAAD ABM (2008), Avenger SAMs (2008), SLAMRAAM SAMs (2008), C-130J transport aircraft (2009), C-17 transport aircraft (2009).

Arms Sales and Security Assistance Extended
Bahrain -Arms transfers Upgrading of patrol boats (2007), 16m LCT (2009), 42m LCT (2009). Iraq -Military training Training of Iraqi troops (2005) Arms transfers Comp Air 7SL aircraft (2004), Panhard M3 APC's (2004), Bell 206 helicopters (2004).Jordan Arms transfers Upgrading of Scorpion light tanks (2003).Lebanon - Arms transfers SA-342 Gazelle helicopters (2007), patrol boats (2007), Milan ATGMs (2007) .Libya - Arms transfers Nimr RVs (2009).

Oman - Arms transfer Fast assault boats (2004), landing craft (2005).Taiwan - Arms transfers Mini-submarines (2006).UK -Facilities Logistical facilities. US -Facilities Storage facilities for naval equipment at Jebel Ali and Fujaira, use of al-Dhafra AFB and pre-positioning of equipment for an armored brigade Yemen - Arms transfers Patrol boats (2004)

Armed Personnel (regular) in 2009 -, 59,000. Air Force- 4,500, Navy - 2,000
Tanks, 2009-532 (604), APCs/AFVs 2009- 1,460. Artillery-(including MRLs) 2009- 360. Combat aircraft- 129 (142), Transport aircraft- 36. Helicopters- 132 (153). Air Defense Forces- Heavy SAM batteries – 5. Medium SAM batteries-9. Light SAM launchers-160 . Navy- Combat vessels- 14. Patrol craft - 92

Aircraft shelters At Abu Dhabi, al-Dhafra and Jabil-Ali AF bases. Military airfields : 8,Abu Dhabi (international), al-Dhafra (Sharja), Bateen (Abu Dhabi), Dubai (international), Fujaira, Jabil-Ali, Sharja, Minhad, al-Safran.
Naval bases (including Coast Guard): 11 .Ajman, Dalma (Abu Dhabi), Fujaira, Mina Jabil (Jebel) Ali (Dubai), Mina Khalid (Sharja), Mina Khor Fakkan (Sharja), Mina Rashid (Dubai), Mina Saqr (Ras al- Khaima), Mina Sultan (Sharja), Taweela, Mina Zayd (Abu Dhabi) .Ship maintenance and repair facilities. Dubai wharf for maintenance and repair of merchant and naval vessels, 2 dry-docks available, ship building facility in Mussafah to be enlarged

The Saudi government restricted the use of American bases in the country during the U.S.-led invasions of Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003), and by Sept., 2003, all U.S. combat forces were withdrawn from the country.

Iran, which has long had hegemonial ambitions in the Middle East, particularly toward Shi'ite populations in Bahrain in the UAE, in Lebanon, and in eastern Saudi Arabia, recently accelerated its military build-up; in 2000-2001 alone its defense budget grew by 50 percents

Its conventional military forces are large, though equipped Mostly with outdated equipment or relatively small numbers of Modern equipment pieces procured in China, North Korea,Ukraine and Russia.

Iran Defense expenditure in 2002 $ 3.2 bn.2003 $ 3.86 billions .2004 $5.33 billions.2005 $ 7.21 billions .2006 $8.52 billion .2007 $ 8.6 billions.
2008- $ 9.0 billion,2009- $9.4 billion.Iran Defense expenditure / GDP % 2002-3.5, 2003- 3.0, 2004-3.4 .2005-3.8, 2006-3.8, 2007- 3.3%, 2008-3.6, 2009-3.76%

The Iranian military industry continues to develop more and more advanced systems. Among these are long range coastal anti ship missiles, Submarine launched and airborne versions of anti ship missiles, long range ballistic missiles (principally the two stage solid-fuelled Sejil missile, and the satellite launch vehicle Safir-e-Omid), midget submarines (Ghader and Nahang), missile boats (Kaman class) and patrol boasts. Mass production of combat aircraft like the Azarakhsh and Saegheh, and UAVs.

The Iranians are engaged in the most intensive missile program in the Third World, with constantly increasing ranges. The Iranians attempted to sell Scud “B”s to Zaire,

Arms Procurement and Security Assistance Received
India in 1993 to help develop batteries for the three Kilo-class submarines Iran had bought from Russia. Indian advice on operating Iran’s missile boats, refitting Iran’s T-72 tanks and armored personnel carriers, and upgrading Iran’s MiG-29 fighters., the two countries have held some joint naval exercises, most recently in March 2006. The first joint exercises were in March 2003. India helps Iran Facility Upgrading of naval bases (2005). Military training Trainees in India (2006).Italy Assistance cooperation in satellite launch (2005).

PRC North Korea Arms transfers PBs (2007) , BM-25 SSMs (2005), Yono mini submarines (2007) Arms transfers J-10 aircraft (2007) Cooperation in R&D and arms production C-802, TL-6 and TL-10 ASCMs (2005).Russia - Arms transfers Tu-334 transport aircraft (2004) , Zohreh satellite (2006), Tu-204 transport aircraft (2008), Tor-M1 SAMs (2006), Yakhont ASCM (2007), S-300 PMU SAMs (2008) • Assistance Nuclear technicians in Bushehr (2006), trainees in Russia (2006).

Ukraine -Arms transfers An-140 transport aircraft (2008), Kh-55 ALCMs (2005) , Kolchuga radar (2006), AN- 148 transport aircraft (2008). Shipping CH-47 (Chinook) helicopter parts to Iran over the last sixteen years. The Chinese support for the Iranian F-14s has been going on for years. Chinese weapons, including Shenyang fighter planes, T-59 battle tanks, HY-2 Silkworm surface-to-surface missiles, and rocket launchers, 1997 report to Congress stated that China continued to help Iran's missile programs, C-802 cruise missiles, HY-2 antiship missile (Silk worm) .

Arms Sales and Security Assistance Extended.Iraq - Arms transfers RPG-29 (2006), 240mm MRLs (2008), 107mm MRLs (2008). Assistance Financial support for the Mahadi Army (2006). Military training Some IRGC and Quds instructors with Mahadi army militia (2006).Lebanon-Arms transfers Hizbullah militia: artillery, MRLs (2008) ,ATGMs, Strela SAMs, Muhajer UAV (2008) Assistance $100 million annual grant to Hizbullah militia (2006) .Military training Training Hizbullah fighters in Iran (2008).

North Korea- Cooperation in arms production, R&D Alleged transfer of Kh-55 ALCM technology (2005).Palestinians Assistance $20 million annually for Hamas (2005) .Sri Lanka Arms transfers SAMs (2005), PBs (2005).Syria Arms transfers Shehab-3 SSMs (2007) , Tir patrol boats (2007). Cooperation in arms production, R&D Joint development of Scud D and Fateh-110 SSMs (2007), assistance in CW development (2006) .Yemen -Arms transfers Muhajer UAVs (2007), Venazvila arms (2008). hundred land mines. These appeared to have been manufactured in Iran found in Afghanistan (2008).

Defense Production
Assembly and production of Scud C, Shehab-2, Shehab 3, Shehab 4, and Kosar SSMs (with China, North Korea, Russia and possibly also Pakistan). Fateh-110 and Tondar-69 Solid-fuel SSM _ Chemical agents (Mustard, Sarin, Soman, Tabun, VX).

Production of Russian T-72S tanks ,Zulfikar and Towsan tanks , Upgrading of T-55 tanks to Iranian model Type 72Z Upgrading of T-54 tanks to Iranian model Safir-74 , Boragh, Cobra, Sayyad and Rakhsh APCs , Upgraded Chieftain MBTs , Upgraded BTR-60 APCs , Fajer, Falaq, Nazeat, Shahin and Zelzal rockets , 122, 160, and 240mm MRLs , 122mm Thunder-1(HM51) and 155mm Thunder-2 (HM44) SP guns, 122mm (HM40) and 155mm (HM41) towed guns 81, 120, 130 and 320mm mortars and artillery ammunition , Raad (AT-3), Thunder , Towsan (AT-5), Toophan (TOW) and Saeghe (Dragon) ATGMs

Badr-400 and Timaz AFV transporters .RPG-7, Nafez and Saegheh ATRLs . ERA protection for various tanks . Gas masks .Spare parts, trucks _
Air Force equipment,Shafagh, Saegheh attack aircraft .Azarakhsh and Owaz fighter aircraft .Tazarve training aircraft .An-140 and An-74 transport aircraft , 2061 and 2091 attack helicopters ,Shhbaviz 275, Shahed 5, Shahed 274 , Shahed 278 helicopters . OH-78, Shahed 478 light attack helicopters . Fajr-3 and Parasto training aircraft . Ababil, Tallash, Saeqeh and Muhajer UAVs . Mini-UAVs.

Upgrading of F-4, F-5 and F-14 aircraft .Upgrading of AB-206 helicopters with TOW/ Toophan ATGMs . Fattar (Conversion of HAWK to AAM) .ZU-23mm anti-aircraft guns .Misagh-1/2 (QW-1) , Sayyad-1 and Shahab Thaqeb (HQ-7) .SAMs, Reverse engineering of Crotale and Rapier SAMs . Kosar (TL-10), Fajr-y-Darya (C-701), Nasr (TL-6), Noor (C-802).ASCMs Sattar, Qased Laser-guided missiles . ARM missiles . Xh-55 ALCMs . Qadr, Zoobin TV-guided missiles .Tolloue mini jet engines . Spare parts for aircraft


FCS for T-72 MBTs . Radio transceivers (copy of US models) _. Training simulators for aircraft and MBTs _ Hasib, 110-S, 110-D ground radars . Basir-110 and phased-array AD radars .HMS-100/200/400/500 EO surveillance systems Imaging camera for satellites . Laser detector . Night vision systems .

Naval equipment. Mowj destroyer, Sina-1 Frigates . Ashura, Paykan, Tareq, Tir, and Zulfaqar patrol craft . MIG-S-1800, MIG-S-1900 and MIG-S-2600 patrol crafts .MIG-S-3700 LCU (Foque class) . Sabehat-15, Ghadir, Nahang, Qaaem midget submarines Kosar (TL-10) , Nasr (TL-6) , Noor (C-802) , Raad (HY-2) ,Sagheb (C-801), Tondar SSMs.Upgrading of Standard missiles to naval SAMs . Hendijan auxiliary vessels .Space Telecommunication satellite under development, to be launched with Russian cooperation

Chemical weapons and protective equipment
Iran admitted in 1999 that it had possessed chemical weapons in the past. Party to the CWC, but nevertheless suspected of still producing and stockpiling mustard, sarin, soman, tabun, VX and other chemical agents. alleged delivery systems include aerial bombs, artillery shells and SSM warheads. PRC and Russian firms and individuals allegedly provide assistance in CW technology and precursors. Personal protective equipment and munitions decontamination units for part of the armed force.

Ballistic Missiles
SS-1 (Scud B/ Scud C),Scud B,Scud C Shehab-2 ( Probably similar to the Syrian Scud-D), Shehab-3 / 3B, Ghadr-101/110, BM-25, Tondar-69 (CSS-8), Fateh-110, Shehab 3B Includes new RV. believed to be in production. Ghadr / Ashura / Sejil Solid propellant. Tested once

Air-to-air-missiles
AA-10 (Alamo), AA-11 (Archer), AIM-54A Phoenix (280), AIM-9L Sidewinder (1,270), AIM-7 Sparrow (430), PL-2 (540), PL-7 (360), Fattar (Sidewinder), Sedjil (modified Hawk) Air-to-ground-missiles -AGM-65 Maverick, AS 10 (Karen), AS-12, C-801K, Fajr e-Darya (C-701), Kosar (TL- 10) , Noor (C-802) , Towsan, Toophan, , Zoobin Guided bombs Sattar, Qadr, Qased.

Space. Telecommunication satellite under development, to be launched with Russian cooperation. Sina-1 Remote sensing 170 kg satellite with 50m resolution Camera for earth observation. SMMS Remote sensing Multi-Mission satellite to be launched in cooperation with China and Thailand. Ground station Semnan Ground command and
communication station. IRSC Remote sensing Multi spectral remote sensing Satellite launcher. Kavoshgar/ Safir-eomid Sounding rocket/ SLV .Future procurement -Omid Research Micro satellite which was expected to be indigenously launched. Mesbah Research 65 Kg satellite To be launched in cooperation with Italy . Zohreh Communication Russian-build communication satellite.

Foreign Military Cooperation
Forces deployed abroad 150 IRGC troops in Lebanon; Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) ; intelligence officers in joint surveillance centers in Syria (2007).Joint maneuvers India (2003) (2006), Italy (2001), Oman (observers 1999),Pakistan (naval maneuvers - 2008). Security agreements Azerbaijan (2005), India (2003), Iraq (2005) , Lebanon (2008), Pakistan (2003) , Sudan (2007), Syria (2007), Tajikistan (2005) , Ukraine (2007)

Ground Forces Personnel, Regular -350,000. Reserves -350,000, Total-700,000
Air Force Combat aircraft -2005- 203 (341) ,2006203 (341),2007- 203 (341) ,2008-237 (343) ,2009-237 (343).Transport aircraft- 2005- 80 (114)*,2006- 80 (114),2007- 101 (125) ,2008-101 (125),2009- 101 (125), Helicopters -2005-340 (570),2006- 340 (570),2007 340 (570) ,2008-340 (570),2009- 340 (570). Air Force Personnel, Regular - 18,000.Reserves Total- 18,000. Air Defense Personnel, Regular -12,000.total 12,000.
Aircraft shelters In all operational airfields .Military airfields -13 Bandar Abbas, Birjand, Bushehr, Chah-Bahar, Ghaleh-Marghi, Isfahan, Kerman, Kharg Island, Mehrabad, Mashhad, Qeshm, Shiraz, Tabriz, Tehran, Zahedan


Navy- Submarines .2005-3, 2006- 3, 2007- 6, 2008- 8, 2009- 8.( 3 Kilo class (Type 877)
1Nahang 1, 4Ghadir (Yono IS 120).Combat vessels.2005- 56, 2006-56, 2007-56, 2008- 90 2009-90. Patrol craft-2005- 160, 2006-160 ,2007-160,2008- 185 ,2009-185.Navy Personnel, Regular- 18,000, Reserves Total- 18,000, IRGC – Navy- 20,000.

Naval bases -9 Bandar Abbas, Bandar Anzelli, Bandar Khomeini, Bandar Lengeh, Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Farsi Island, Jask, Kharg Island .IRGC naval bases -11 Abadan oil terminal, Abu Musa Island, al-Fayisiyah Island, al-Salouyeh, Cyrus oilfield, Halul Island platform (unconfirmed), Larak Island, Qeshm Island, Rostam Island oilfield, Sir Abu Nuair, Sirri Island .Ship maintenance and repair facilities -1 MAN Nordhaman 28,000-ton floating dock.

Iran is doing developing his arms industry so rapidly in Persian Gulf than any other country in the region. Iran is looking a role of Persian Gulf regional Super power and show Mullah Doctrine to threat the whole region in military and arms build up.Iran is showing muscle in Bahrain and with UAE.
BAHRAIN
BAHRAIN Defense expenditure $ bn 2003-$ 0.468 billion .2004-$ 0.478 billion ,2005 -$ 0.484 billion,2006-$ 0.47 billion,2007-$ 0.57 billion.,2008-0.67 billion, 2009-0.75 billion. Defense expenditure / GDP % 2003- 4.9 ,2004-4.3, 2005- 3.6 ,20063.0 , 2007-3.0, 2008-3.4,2009-3.5%.

Foreign Military Cooperation
Forces deployed abroad Saudi Arabia (part of GCC “Desert Shield” Rapid Deployment Force).Foreign forces About 3,000 U.S forces. Joint maneuvers Egypt (2008), France (2008), GCC countries (2008),Jordan (2008), Kuwait (2008),UAE (2008), US (2008). Security agreements NATO (2006), GCC countries, UK, US

Arms Procurement and Security Assistance Received
Oman- Arms transfers Nimer-1 APCs (2005).Turkey - Arms transfers 120mm SP mortars (2007).UK - Arms transfers Hawk Mk. 129 (2006), RJ100 VIP transport (2008).Military training -A number of retired British officers hold senior positions in Bahraini force, training the new National Guard.UAE - Arms transfers 42m LCTs (2008), Sea Keeper PBs (2008).US -Arms transfers AN/TPS-59 radar system (2007), Javelin ATGMs (2006) , S-70 Black hawk helicopters (2008) , Bell 412 helicopters (2007) , TPS-59 radar (2007), S-92 VIP helicopter (2007).Military training Trainees in USA. Maintenance Foreign technicians, naval equipment (2004). Assistance $25 million military aid (2007. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to the Government of Bahrain of 25 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and associated equipment, parts and services at an estimated cost of $74 million (2009)

Arms Sales and Security Assistance Extended
UK -Facilities Air force facilities.US -Facilities Naval facilities, storage facilities, prepositioning of army equipment & intelligence installations, HQ facilities for the US forces in the Gulf at Mina Salman

Ballistic Missiles- ATACMS Since 2002. Surface-to-Air Missiles- Heavy missiles
• MIM-23B Improved HAWK since 1994. Medium missiles- Crotale since 1995. Light missiles - RBS-70 since 1980. Shoulder launched missiles - FIM-92A Stinger since 1987.

Armed Personnel (regular) 8,200 .Tanks- 180, APCs/AFVs- 277 (297), Artillery (including MRLs)- 68 (70). Air Force-Combat aircraft-2005- 33 (34) ,2006- 34* 2007-34,2008-34,2009-34.( Advanced multi-role 22 F-16C/D,1990 Multi-role-12 F-5E/F 1985).Transport aircraft -2005-4, 2006-4, 2007-4, 2008-4, and 2009-4(2 Gulfstream II 1977, 2 Avro RJ85 2001)

Helicopters - 2005-48*, 2006-48, 2007- 48, 2008-48, 2009-48. (22 AH-1E 1996, 2 -500MD 1981, S-70A Blackhawk, AB-212, MBB BO-105, Bell 427, Bell 412, Naval combat- MBB BO-105) S-70 Blackhawk 9 Delivery up to 2011 .Air Force Personnel-1,500. Military airfields - 2 Sakhir , Shaykh Isa.

Navy- Combat vessels- 2005-11, 2006- 11, 2007- 11, 2008- 11,2009- 11.( Sabha
(Oliver Hazard Perry , Al Manama (MGB-62), Ahmad al-Fateh (TNC-45) Gunboat- Al Riffa (FPB-38) Al Jarim (FPB-20) ). Patrol craft-2005- 22, 2006- 22, 2007- 22, 2008- 26, 2009- 26. Navy Personnel- 700.

Naval bases-1 Mina Salman .Ship maintenance and repair facilities Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY), a 500,000 DWT dry-dock engaged in repairs and construction (mainly supertankers jointly owned by Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE - each 18.84%; Iraq - 4.7%; and Libya - 1.1%)
Part 2nd will be publishing soon including KSA, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar).Usman Karim based Lahore Pakistan lmn025@hotmail.com