Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa received in Manama Tuesday the Vice Chief of the UK Defence Staff, General Sir Gordon Messenger, currently on a visit to the Kingdom.

They reviewed the existing cooperation and friendship relations between Bahrain and the United Kingdom, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.

They also discussed issues of common interest.

BDF General Command’s Court Director, Major-General Hassan Mohammed Sa’ad, Inspector General, Major-General Abdulla Hassan Al-Noaimi, Assistant Chief of Staff for Supply and Catering, Rear Admiral Yusef Ahmed Malallah, Military Cooperation Director, Rear Admiral Mohammed Hashim Al-Sada, and the British Military Attaché to Bahrain, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Price, were present.

Earlier this month, Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, paid inspection visits to a number of BDF units.

The Commander-in-chief met the Commanders of the units, as well as a number of senior officers, and was briefed on their units' training programs, and the combat and administrative development plans.

He was updated about the units’ programs and future plans to raise the efficiency of the combat and administrative readiness to continue defending the nation and its hard-won achievements.

He expressed thanks and appreciation to all BDF affiliates for their dedication in assuming their patriotic responsibilities, highlighting the role played by the BDF in development and progress march witnessed by the kingdom, under the leadership of HM the King.

He pointed out that the BDF will carry on implementing its military development plans, in line with the directives of HM the King.

He underlined the BDF’s resolve to continue improving the capabilities of its units and weaponry through providing modern military installations and advanced combat systems, as well as the means and systems of modern training.