Royal Bahamas Defence Force

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) is the military of the Bahamas. Since the Bahamas does not have an army or an air force, its navy is the entire armed force of the country. The RBDF works to protect the Bahamas, keep its waters safe, and help during disasters. It also works with law enforcement to keep order and carries out duties set by the National Security Council.

The Defence Force is part of CARICOM's Regional Security Task Force. This group has helped in important missions, such as the 1994 United Nations mission in Haiti. The RBDF plays a key role in keeping the Bahamas secure and supporting the country in many ways.

History

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force became official on March 31, 1980, under the Ministry of National Security. Charles III, the King of the Bahamas, serves as the Commander-in-Chief, with the Governor-General of the Bahamas carrying out ceremonial duties.

The RBDF's only combat happened in 1980 when it tried to stop Cuban fishing boats in Bahamian waters. Cuban jets attacked and sank one of the RBDF ships. The Bahamas and Cuba later reached an agreement, with Cuba paying $10 million to the Bahamas.

The Force

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) is made up only of a navy, unlike other countries in the Caribbean and the Commonwealth of Nations that also have land-based soldiers. It is the largest navy in the Commonwealth Caribbean, with about 1,600 members.

These members work in seven main areas: Headquarters, Administration, Engineering, Supply, Military Police, Operations, and The Commando Squadron. The Operations Department includes the main active units:

• The (Patrol) Squadron - This group operates all RBDF ships and small boats for security.
• The Commando Squadron - A group of 500 Special Marine Commandos trained for water and land operations, also helping with national security and fighting crime.
• The Air Wing - This unit uses airplanes for watching over and supporting operations from the air.

The Commando Squadron trains with special forces from the United States and the United Kingdom, learning skills for special operations and fighting at sea. One common training exercise is swimming two miles while carrying a heavy bag.

The RBDF has updated its gear over time. Originally, members wore British-style uniforms, but now they wear digital woodland camouflage similar to what U.S. Marines wear. The weapons have also changed from British models to U.S.-made ones like the M4 carbine and UMP submachine gun.

The RBDF also uses the M101 105mm howitzer, with fifteen of these artillery pieces in service.

Structure

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) has two career paths: Marine and Officer. Marines can rise from Marine Seaman to Force Chief Petty Officer, while Officers go from Midshipman to Commodore. The RBDF is organized and trained like the British Royal Navy, and many officers study at British service schools.

The main office of the RBDF is at The New National Security Complex on John F. Kennedy Drive on New Providence Island. The leader, called "Commander Defence Force," is Commodore Dr. Raymond King. Other bases are in Matthew Town, Inagua, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Freeport, Grand Bahama, and Gun Point, Ragged Island.

Because there are not many ships, most RBDF members work on land in various roles. They help with naval and infantry duties, act as police, customs, and immigration officers, inspect fisheries, rescue people in emergencies, search and save, guard detention centers, and maintain navigation aids. The RBDF also offers a high school course called the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers.

RBDF members have taken part in peacekeeping missions in El Salvador and Haiti.

Ships

The main ships are two Bahamas-class and four Legend-class offshore patrol vessels. These ships are part of a contract signed with the Damen Shipyards Group in April 2013. Their missions include stopping illegal fishing, fighting drugs, enforcing immigration rules, search and rescue, and national defense.

Four of the new ships will be Stan 4207 design, four will be Stan 3007 design, and the last will be a 55-metre (180 ft) landing craft style transport ship, Damen Stan Lander 5612.

Equipment

Air Wing

The Air Wing began on November 26, 1981, two years after the defence force was created. It started with three Aero Commander 500s bought from Bahamasair, but these were sold in 1990. Later, a Cessna 402 and a Cessna 421 were added, and by late 2005, a Super King Air 350 arrived. In May 2009, a Cessna 208 Turbine Caravan with floats and a Partenavia P.68 joined the fleet, improving surveillance and transport.

In December 2019, the Bahamas started the Bahamas Unmanned Aerial System programme, working with Swift Engineering to get 55 unmanned aerial vehicles.

Current air fleet

Retired aircraft

Retired aircraft include Aero Commander 500, Beechcraft Super King Air 350, Cessna 402, Cessna 421.