Military exercise in Oman makes history

Muscat: The largest military exercise in the history of the Sultan’s Armed Forces has begun.
Named Al Shomoukh 2 and Saif Saree 3 (Arabic for Swift Sword), the joint-military operations between Oman and the UK are expected to run until November and will involve 70,000 Omani and 5,500 UK personnel.
Video: Omani-British joint military exercise begins
The two exercises are being described as “the largest in the history of the Sultan’s Armed Forces,” according to Lieutenant General Al Nabhani, Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces.
Al Shomoukh 2 will be carried out by the Sultanate’s Royal Armed Forces, other departments of the Ministry of Defence and the military, along with security forces. The exercise will immediately be followed by the joint Omani-British military exercise Saif Saree 3, which will continue until the end of October.
Speaking about the joint training, Lt Gen Al Nabhani said, “The exercise will test [participants] in order to train [them at] all strategic levels, such as the operational level and the tactical level. Participants will activate all lines of influence, such as diplomatic, economic, information, and military lines, to achieve the objective of the exercise.
“The number of participants in the exercise reached more than 70,000 from the Sultanate from various military, security and civil bodies. Regarding the Royal British Armed Forces, more than 5,500 British soldiers are set to participate,” Al Nabhani added.
“This exercise is an important opportunity to develop national capabilities in dealing with various issues, whether related to military and security operations or those related to the roles and functions of civil government institutions,” said the Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces.
The Saif Saree 3 exercise with the British forces is an extension of the previous series of exercises, according to the joint training plan between the Omani and British militaries, as well as another series of military and security exercises carried out by the Sultanate throughout the year, with sister or other friendly countries.
This is the third Saif Saree operation to take place between the two nations, the first being in 1986 and the second in 2001.
The main objectives of the training exercises include carrying out joint operations of the Royal Armed Forces, implementing the concept of teamwork between the armed forces, the security and civil services, training in the application of military tactics, according to the latest developments in modern military operations and contemporary military science.
Throughout September, several combat helicopters, tanks, armoured vehicles, as well as heavy and light transport vehicles belonging to the British Royal Armed Forces, arrived at Duqm Port for use during this month’s exercise.