Defence Secretary has visited Oman, to demonstrate the UK’s commitment
to the country and the wider Gulf region.
HMS Queen Elizabeth – the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier
– is docked at Duqm port in Oman, as the UK Armed Forces carried
out joint land, sea and air exercises with the Omani Forces.
The visit represents the UK’s integrated approach to defence and
foreign policy and the UK’s enduring commitment to working with
Oman and Gulf partners on promoting regional security and
stability.
Defence Secretary said:
HMS Queen Elizabeth is here to demonstrate our commitment to the
Omanis as invaluable partners and to show our support to the
wider Gulf region.
This visit presents an opportunity to see UK forces working hand
in hand with our Omani partners across land, air and sea
exercises, promoting stability and security in the region and
confronting our shared threats.
The Defence Secretary hosted the Omani Deputy Prime Minister for
Defence Affairs, His Highness Shihab bin Tariq, onboard HMS Queen
Elizabeth. They observed the impressive capabilities of the
aircraft carrier and met UK personnel onboard the ship. HMS Queen
Elizabeth leads the UK Carrier Strike Group which is on its
maiden operational deployment to the Indo-Pacific and Middle
East, embodying the Government’s Global Britain vision.
The Defence Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister for Defence
Affairs also had the opportunity to see Exercise KHANJAR OMAN at
the Ras Madrakah training area. This is a joint battlegroup
exercise involving UK and Omani troops, with ground forces
supported by the Carrier Strike Group at sea and F-35 jets from
the air.
Exercise KHANJAR OMAN represents a key part of the Army’s Future
Soldier concept, which will see British soldiers more integrated
with our partners in regional hubs around the world.
Brigadier Marcus Mudd, Land Component Commander in Oman
said:
The Future of the British Army out here in Oman is
extraordinarily exciting.
This is all about partnership. Oman is a strategic partner to the
UK, particularly within the Gulf region. Being able to draw from
each other’s strengths and the specialist capabilities that we
have is an incredible opportunity.
Captain Kate Breeze, Wildcat Pilot, 1 Army Air
Corps:
Ex Khanjar Oman has really given us an unparalleled opportunity
in terms of air, land, sea integration. We’ve got our partners in
the Navy who are with the Carrier Strike Group and we’ve got the
opportunity to work with F-35s and the Marines.
This is also a chance to work with our Omani colleagues and
partners. We’ve been fully integrated with an Omani
Reconnaissance Company throughout the exercise and that’s been a
fantastic opportunity”.
The Defence Secretary observed urban training exercises which
showcased the impressive range of skills and equipment at the
disposal of our Armed Forces.
During the visit, RAF Typhoon jets arrived in Oman in advance of
Exercise MAGIC CARPET – a joint air exercise between the UK, Oman
and Qatar Air Forces which will take place in the coming weeks.
The annual event gives Typhoon pilots the opportunity to conduct
a range of training sorties.
