The military base is designed to assert influence over the Persian Gulf, as well as to to fight extremist elements in the region, as London claims.

The British Foreign Secretary, accompanied by navy personnel, attended the grand ceremony at Bahrain’s Mina Salman Port on Saturday, marking the beginning of construction works at the new Royal Navy base, Russia Today reported.

“The beginning of construction work at Mina Salman Port marks a watershed moment in the UK’s commitment to the region,” Philip Hammond said at the ceremony. “The presence of the Royal Navy in Bahrain is guaranteed into the future, ensuring Britain’s sustained presence east of Suez.”

Bahrain used to be Britain’s primary naval stronghold in the Persian Gulf region. Starting from 1935 it hosted the Royal Navy’s whole Middle Eastern command. For nearly four years, from 1967 until gaining formal independence from Britain in 1971, Bahrain was Britain’s main regional naval base.

The declared primary aim of the base is to help battle the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group and other extremist groups present in the region, which Hammond called the “great challenge of our time.”

“We in Britain, have recognized –perhaps later than we should have– that to prevail in that struggle, we have to tackle all forms of extremism, not just violent extremism,” he said.

The £15 million ($23 million) base is mainly funded by the Bahraini royal family and is expected to accommodate Britain’s new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and Type 45 destroyers.