Bahrain Mirror: A report issued by intelligence publication HS Jane's revealed that Bahrain has doubled its spending on defences in 2016.

Defence analyst Ben Moores said that Bahrain's defence imports estimated at $80 million in 2016, compared with $30 million in 2015.

Moores indicated that it was revealed that Bahrain received last year included AIM-120C-7 (medium range air to air missile) worth $16m, VVG-2 (laser rangefinder receivers) worth $4m, Javelin CLU (anti-tank missile) costing $3m and F-16 services for maintenance worth $10m.

Based on the institution's forecast, Bahrain will receive AH-1 Cobra choppers worth $64m.

It is to mention that Bahrain suffers from deteriorating economic situation amid the political crisis that erupted in the country since 2011 and amid the sharp decline of oil prices last year. Bahrain's budget deficit reached 1.5 million BD ($3.9 billion), meanwhile, its sovereign debt reached 6.6 billion BD ($17.4 billion), which made several international rating agencies decrease Bahrain's credit rating.

Based on recommendations of International Monetary Fund and World Bank, Bahrain took a series of measures that changed its economy in a way that decreases public spending. It lifted subsidies on fuel, electricity and meat and increased taxes.

According to Stockholm International Peace Research, Bahrain spends large amounts of money on the security and military sector exceeding 529 million BD ($1.4 billion) annually.

Arabic Version