During his official visit to the United Kingdom, Lieutenant General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s National Security Advisor, Royal Guard Commander, and Secretary General of the Supreme Defence Council, met with Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, UK Chief of the Defence Staff (photo).
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad emphasised the deep-rooted ties between Bahrain and the UK, particularly in defence and military cooperation. He discussed with Admiral Sir Radakin ways to enhance military relations, highlighting the importance of long-term defence partnerships in supporting regional security and stability.
The meeting covered regional security challenges, including joint counterterrorism efforts and the reinforcement of maritime security in the Gulf, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
Discussions also focused on strengthening defence capabilities, training programmes, joint exercises, and aligning military forces in multinational operations.
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad and Admiral Sir Radakin reviewed maritime and air cooperation, assessing ongoing efforts to enhance Gulf security and exploring opportunities for expanding aerial defence collaboration.
Earlier, Lieutenant General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa met with Jonathan Powell, National Security Adviser (NSA) of the United Kingdom, to strengthen Bahrain-UK security cooperation.
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad and the NSA reviewed common regional security threats, including extremism, terrorism, and instability. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad highlighted the importance of joint efforts and continued coordination to address these challenges and enhance regional and international stability.
Cybersecurity was a key topic, with both sides agreeing on the need to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats and strengthen cooperation in exchanging best practices and advanced technology.
The meeting explored the integration of military and civil security, emphasising the need for a comprehensive government approach.
Lastly, Lieutenant General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa met with Major General Nick Cowley, Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad commended the role of the RMAS in training and qualifying its cadets, as well as its distinguished graduates and its leadership and disciplined approach.
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad’s visit to Sandhurst underscores the historical relations between Bahrain and the United Kingdom, as well as the Academy’s role in training military leaders in both countries.
During the visit, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad delivered a speech to the Academy’s cadets, in which he highlighted his military career and the leadership experience gained over the years. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad noted that the Academy has a long-standing history in training military leaders and provides an advanced educational and training environment that contributes to preparing officers with leadership skills, discipline, and the ability to make strategic decisions in various circumstances.
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad also shared his practical experiences in missions, discussing field experiences in strategic decision-making and military operations leadership with the cadets. He emphasised that field experience and practical exposure are essential elements in shaping military leaders capable of achieving success.
In an interactive discussion session with the cadets, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad answered a range of questions on military service, resilience, and leadership responsibilities, offering valuable insights into the challenges faced by military leaders and how they can develop their leadership skills to keep pace with evolving field and strategic dynamics.
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad also met with several Bahraini officer cadets enrolled in military studies at RMAS, encouraging them to strive to achieve their goals, wishing them success.
