Aerospace and defence occupiers in Manama typically cluster in Seef, plan ~210 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out ($155–220/sqft), and pay around 100 BHD/sqft ($25 USD) on Class A.

• Preferred submarket: Seef.
• Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($155–220/sqft).
• Plan ~210 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 100 BHD/sqft ($25 USD).
• Typical lease: 5 years with 6 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Manama: 76/100.

TL;DR

• Preferred submarket: Seef.
• Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($155–220/sqft).
• Plan ~210 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 100 BHD/sqft ($25 USD).
• Typical lease: 5 years with 6 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Manama: 76/100.

Where they cluster

Aerospace and defence occupiers in Manama typically anchor in Seef. Banking branches, retail HQs, professional services, hospitality.

What they pay

Class A rent in Manama runs 100 BHD/sqft ($25 USD) on a 5-year lease with 6 months free. Prime submarkets sit at or modestly above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical aerospace and defence fit-out targets high-end specification at $155–220/sqft. Branded reception, full client-facing programming, premium furniture, and specialist AV are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 210 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount aero/defence office in Manama typically targets 21,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Programme leadership and contracting teams concentrate near government anchors; cleared-personnel logistics drive submarket selection. Strong Islamic banking, fintech, asset management, and reinsurance talent. University of Bahrain, Royal University for Women, and BIBF (Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance) anchor the regional pipeline. Multilingual (Arabic, English) talent supports international tenancy.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 0%. Bahraini gross structure (rent inclusive of utilities and basic services). 3-5 year terms standard. Rent-free of 4-8 months on 5-year terms plus BHD 30-60/sqm TI typical.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where do aerospace and defence occupiers lease office space in Manama?

Most cluster in Seef. Rent runs ~100 BHD/sqft ($25 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

What fit-out spec do aerospace and defence occupiers run in Manama?

Typically high-end at $155–220/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a aerospace and defence occupier plan in Manama?

Plan ~210 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 21,000 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the aerospace and defence vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 3364, 5415.

What is the talent index in Manama?

76/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

• Aerospace and defence — global overview
• Manama — full city profile
• Financial services in Manama
• Asset management in Manama
• Investment banking in Manama
• Legal services in Manama

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Class A Atlas Editorial Desk — House byline · global editorial team. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

Primary sources for this page

• CBRE Marketview reports — CBRE
• JLL Office Insight — JLL
• Cushman & Wakefield Marketbeat — Cushman & Wakefield
• Savills World Research — Savills
• Colliers Global Office Outlook — Colliers

Full sources index · Submit a correction

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