Indo-Oman joint Army Exercise Al Nagah II at Bakloh

Final day photos from India-Oman joint Army Exercise Al Nagah II at Bakloh. pic.twitter.com/LUSr3gHKh5

— DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) March 19, 2017

Al Nagah-II the Indo-Oman Joint Army Exercise at Bakloh

Latest images from Al Nagah-II the Indo-Oman Joint Army Exercise at Bakloh. @PIB_India @adgpi pic.twitter.com/1aWlDNecFY

— DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) March 13, 2017

Field camps of Oman Pakistan Egypt UAE contingents in North Thunder maneuvers near Iraq border

What if the war games include crossing over into Iraq?

Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) retires its fleet of SEPECAT Jaguar attack aircraft

Photo - Wikimedia commons

Photos - IAF
IAF Jaguars with Royal Air Force of Oman

The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has held a ceremony to mark the retirement of its fleet of SEPECAT Jaguar attack aircraft at the Al-Shafaq Club in Seeb, the Oman News Agency reported on 16 October.It added that the Jaguars, which had been in RAFO service for nearly 37 years, were being replaced by new Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters.

Earlier this year the RAFO began receiving the first of the 12 F-16C/D multi-role fighters it ordered in 2011. These aircraft are joining the 12 F-16C/Ds that the RAFO has had in service since 2006.

Austal contract for two 72m High Speed Support Vessels is for the Royal Navy of Oman

Austal announced earlier this year that it has been awarded a contract from Royal Navy of Oman for the design, construction and integrated logistics support of two new 72 metre High Speed Support Vessels (HSSVs) based on the U.S. Navy's Joint High Speed Vessels design.

It now appears that this customer is the Royal Navy of Oman.

The value of the contract is approximately US$124.9 million.

Last warship built in Portsmouth is handed over to Royal Oman Navy

A CEREMONY has been held to mark the handing over of a warship to the Royal Navy of Oman.
Al Rasikh is the third and final Khareef class corvette built by BAE Systems in Portsmouth.
She is the last warship to be constructed in Portsmouth after the company’s announcement that shipbuilding will end in the city.The handing over ceremony took place at Portsmouth Naval Base this morning, attended by local dignitaries as well as families of the crew.Mick Ord, managing director of BAE Systems, said: ‘The Interim Acceptance of Al Rasikh, is a significant milestone in the Khareef project and reflects a culmination of the long and successful relationship that BAE Systems has enjoyed with the Royal Navy of Oman for over 35 years.’


http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/business/local-business/last-warship-built-in-portsmouth-is-handed-over-to-royal-navy-of-oman-1-6085444

Sultanate of Oman accepts upgraded F-16s

The Sultanate of Oman accepted the first of its second order of Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons in a ceremony April 3 at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility. The fighter aircraft will ferry to Oman later this year.

In 2002, the Sultanate of Oman became the 23rd member of the F-16 family and now joins the 15 other countries which have ordered additional F-16 jets for their air defense. The new F-16s will add to the Oman Air Force’s existing fleet of F-16s used to defend Oman’s borders.

Royal Navy of Oman Second Khareef class Corvette 'Al Rahmani' reaches homeport

The Royal Navy of Oman on March 17th 2014 held a ceremony to mark the arrival of Al Rahmani vessel. Al Rahmani is the second of three 99 metres Khareef class corvettes built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy of Oman.

The ship will now complete final hot weather trials during which the ship will demonstrate her ability to perform in temperatures in excess of 45 degrees celsius. The Royal Navy of Oman's Khareef class corvettes were built by BAE Systems based on the "99 Metre Corvette" design. It is an efficient platform with sea-keeping qualities allowing blue water operations. Its fully integrated combat systems makes the Khareef class capable of both Anti-air warfare and Anti-surface warfare operations.

Oman to Sharply Increase its Defense Budget to keep pace with neighbors - Iran, UAE and Bahrain

The Royal Army of Oman Western Frontier Regiment training in UK

Oman is currently in the middle of a military modernization phase, with an aim to keep pace with its neighbors such as the UAE and Bahrain. Assisted by oil revenues, the Middle East has been an attractive market for defense suppliers during the past four years and is expected to remain so to 2018.

One of the main factors driving the Omani defense budget is the arms race with countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, combined with a perceived threat from Iran. To be on par with its neighbors, Oman increased its military budget sharply over the last couple of years to value US$9.3 billion in 2013, registering a growth rate of 23.10% since 2009.The sharp rise in the defense budget in 2012-2013 was made possible by increasing oil prices, which generated additional revenue for the government and was directed towards strengthening its defense and security. By 2018 the country’s defense and security expenditure is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 6.76% to reach US$13 billion by 2018, owing to the procurement of advanced military equipment and regional dynamics.

Various deals with the US to get hold of F-16 aircraft, air missile defense systems, and other arms imports have fuelled the growth of the capital budget allocation during 2012 and 2013. The country is expected to continue to buy advanced weapons in order to achieve its purpose of becoming a substantial military force in the region.Oman is projected to allocate an average of 19.5% of its defense and security budget towards related capital expenditure by 2018.

Oman’s defense imports witnessed a decline in 2010 and 2011, but increased sharply in 2012 due to new procurement deals signed during 2011-2012. In the past, Oman has sourced the majority of its defense imports from companies based in the UK, such as BAE Systems.However during 2009, France and the US dominated by fulfilling 61.3% and 31.4% of Oman’s arms imports. Aircraft accounted for more than 75% of Oman’s arms imports during this period. With missiles, armored vehicles, and air defense systems being other major categories procured from foreign suppliers.

Air defense capabilities such as fighter aircraft, surface to air missiles, and radars are expected to be an area of focus for the Omani Ministry of Defense (MoD) during 2018. The government is also expected to focus on protecting its oil maritime trade routes and strengthening its maritime borders with the procurement of patrol vessels and frigates. Additionally, these procurements can help improve security in the country’s international borders.Oman allows foreign investment in its domestic defense industry but limits it to 49%, which has to be approved by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. However, Oman does not disclose information about direct offset obligations but does give preference to companies offering indirect offsets ranging from supply of foods to investment in non-defense sectors in the country.

The Sultanate maintains strong relations with the UK and US and prefers to buy from the defense suppliers based in these two countries. Dominance of these companies could poses as a barrier for the foreign equipment supplier to enter into the Omani defense market. Lack of skilled labor may also prove to be deterrent for new entrants.

Oman Upgrades Its Air Force: From Jaguars to F-16s

Oman is located on the eastern Arabian peninsula next to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and across from Persia. It remains a very strategic country, controlling the Strait of Hormuz’ western bank, and providing an overwatch position for both the entrance to the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean near Africa. The Royal Air Force of Oman (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat Oman) currently flies 12 F-16 Block 50 fighters: 8 F-16Cs and 4 F-16Ds, whose delivery began in 2005. They complement the RAFO’s 18 Jaguar strike aircraft, and 11 single-seat subsonic Hawk 203 light fighters. Sultan Qaboos’ air force is looking to replace its aging Jaguars, and has made inquiries about buying 4+ generation fighters like Eurofighters or even JAS-39 Gripens for this purpose.