To mark 70 years of Bahrain’s relationship with the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), the academy honoured Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa in recognition of his achievement as the first Bahraini to graduate from the academy, after joining it in 1957.
Shaikh Mohammed said the honour reflects the depth of the long-standing ties between Bahrain and the RMAS, which have continued to develop over the decades with the support and attention of His Majesty King Hamad, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and His Majesty’s commitment to preparing and qualifying national talent to the highest military and leadership standards.
Shaikh Mohammed expressed pride in the honour, considering it a recognition of the close ties between the kingdom and the academy, and an appreciation of Bahrain’s distinguished presence there for more than seven decades.
He also congratulated the kingdom’s graduates in this cohort, which included his grandson, wishing them success in serving their country.
Commandant of the RMAS Major General Nick Cowley honoured Shaikh Mohammed and presented him with the academy’s sword and medal.
Major General Cowley highlighted the long-standing ties between the academy and Bahrain, which began in 1936 during the official visit to the United Kingdom by the late Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, then Ruler of Bahrain and its Dependencies, and his visit to the academy.
He added that this visit, more than two decades later, led to Shaikh Mohammed joining the academy and becoming the first Bahraini to graduate from it. Shaikh Mohammed’s two sons later followed in his footsteps, with Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and Shaikh Talal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa graduating from the prestigious academy in 1992 and 1994 respectively.
Major General Cowley also noted that this year marks 90 years since the historic relationship between the academy and Bahrain began, pointing out that the kingdom has been the academy’s largest source of officer cadets over the past seven decades. This reflects the leadership’s commitment to preparing and qualifying national military talent to the highest leadership standards, contributing to strengthening Bahrain’s defence capabilities.
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