Bahrain Security Cooperation Improvement Act

it is in the national security interest of the United States to maintain a strong relationship with Bahrain and support its military efforts;

Bahrain has a critical role as host of the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet and the United States Naval Forces Central Command;

Bahrain is a major defense and security cooperation partner of the United States, as recognized when the United States designated Bahrain as a major non-NATO ally in 2002;

there should be an increase in exchanges between defense officials and law enforcement of the United States and Bahrain at the strategic, policy, and tactical levels, especially for the purposes of—

the United States should ensure Bahrain has capabilities with regards to its air, missile, and unmanned aerial system defense assets to support peace efforts in the region;

it is important for the United States to be a source of consistent and reliable defense assets for Bahrain;

the United States should deepen interoperability with Bahrain in defense capabilities, including—

the Secretary of Defense should prioritize including Bahrain in military exercises to the greatest extent possible, increasing security cooperation and readiness between Bahrain and the United States; and

it is in the best interest of the United States and Bahrain to work together to oppose any efforts of terrorism or radical extremism in the Middle East.

In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on upgrading the capabilities of the United States Fifth Fleet to address emerging threats in the region of the area of responsibility of the Fifth Fleet and any cost associated with such capability upgrades. Such report shall include an assessment of the efforts of the Department of Defense to—

Congressional defense committees defined— In this section, the term “congressional defense committees” has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.