Oman ratifies defence agreement with UK

Oman’s Sultan Qaboos has issued a decree approving the sultanate’s recent joint defence agreement with the UK, the official Oman News Agency (ONA) reported yesterday.

On 21 February, the UK and Oman signed a joint defence agreement, with the aim “to activate joint military actions to ensure the security and stability of the two countries [Oman and Britain], and to pave the way for more military cooperation and joint exercises.”

In a statement, Britain said at the time that the agreement was “signifying Britain’s commitment to security in the Gulf for years to come.”

Under the agreement, the UK will develop the Duqm Port in Muscat and will build a military force in a recently-established Omani-British Joint Training Area, dubbed “Saif Sareea 3”. The joint agreement will allow the UK to use those facilities for many years. In exchange, Britain will send £3 billion ($3.9 billion) for the Gulf region’s security for ten years.

On 5 October 2018, Saif Sareea 3 drills were launched in Oman with the participation of 5,500 British soldiers after a 17-year hiatus.

READ: Oman prepares for joint army exercise with UK