Press release

Defence Secretary Visits Oman for Joint Exercises

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has visited Oman, to demonstrate the UK鈥檚 commitment to the country and the wider Gulf region.

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Omani Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, His Highness Shihab bin Tariq, onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth.

HMS Queen Elizabeth 鈥� the Royal Navy鈥檚 flagship aircraft carrier 鈥� is docked at Duqm port in Oman, as the UK Armed Forces carried out joint land, sea and air exercises with the Omani Forces.

皇冠体育app visit represents the UK鈥檚 integrated approach to defence and foreign policy and the UK鈥檚 enduring commitment to working with Oman and Gulf partners on promoting regional security and stability.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace 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.

皇冠体育app Defence Secretary hosted the Omani Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, His Highness Shihab bin Tariq, onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth. 皇冠体育appy 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鈥檚 Global Britain vision.

皇冠体育app 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鈥檚 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:

皇冠体育app 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鈥檚 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鈥檝e got our partners in the Navy who are with the Carrier Strike Group and we鈥檝e 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鈥檝e been fully integrated with an Omani Reconnaissance Company throughout the exercise and that鈥檚 been a fantastic opportunity鈥�.

皇冠体育app 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 鈥� a joint air exercise between the UK, Oman and Qatar Air Forces which will take place in the coming weeks. 皇冠体育app annual event gives Typhoon pilots the opportunity to conduct a range of training sorties.

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Published 5 November 2021