UK begins work on new Middle East base

Work has begun to construct Britain’s first new permanent military base in the Middle East since 1971. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and naval personnel attended a ceremony to mark the start of construction of HMS Juffair at Mina Salman Port in Bahrain. The establishment is being developed to support Royal Navy deployments in the Gulf […]

Work has begun to construct Britain’s first new permanent military base in the Middle East since 1971.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and naval personnel attended a ceremony to mark the start of construction of HMS Juffair at Mina Salman Port in Bahrain.
The establishment is being developed to support Royal Navy deployments in the Gulf through the creation of a permanent and improved base.
Mr Hammond said it showed the UK’s commitment to the region.
Bahrain has paid most of the £15m ($23m) needed to build the base, with the British paying ongoing costs.