Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what logistical and other advantages the Royal Navy is deriving from the establishment of HMS Jufair in Bahrain.

The UK Naval Support Facility in the Kingdom of Bahrain demonstrates our strong and enduring bilateral relationship. It supports our deployed naval force in the Gulf, providing maritime security for Bahrain, the wider region, and the global economy. The capability is split into three broad categories: accommodation, welfare, and technical. It provides appropriate levels of real-life support to personnel deployed to Bahrain, whether permanently shore-based, on contingent operations, on a deployed maritime unit, or on short-term theatre visits. The facility provides engineering and logistics support to maritime units,and can host contingent forces for short periods. It has enabled the Royal Navy to permanently assign HMS MONTROSE - a Type 23 frigate - to the Gulf, and provide better support for its vessels, including the UK's new aircraft carriers.