Military in Oman
Military in Oman
The Commander-in-Chief of the Oman Armed Forces isHaitham ibn Tariq. The size of these armed forces is quite manageable. About 43,000 soldiers are active in the country, ensuring secure borders and – especially in recent years – due to the unrest in theneighboring countries of Oman, also ensuring that this unrest from Yemen and Saudi Arabia does not cross the border into Oman. Additionally, the military supports the police in maintaining order in the country. The army consists of four branches:
- Land Forces
- Artillery
- Navy
- Air Force
There is no conscription in Oman; the army is a purely professional force. In December, Oman celebrates Armed Forces Day, in remembrance of the fact that the then Sultan Qaboos achieved the final victory over insurgents in the south of the country in 1975.
Military as a growing economic sector
When comparing the expenditures in the military sector in Oman over the last two decades, it becomes clear that these have continuously grown, from about 3.59 billion US dollars in 2001 to up to 9.08 billion US dollars in 2016. The absolute peak of these expenditures was reached in 2012 with 12.63 billion US dollars.
Against the backdrop of the Arab Spring and the unrest in the countries surrounding Oman, the significant increase from 2010 with 5.37 billion US dollars to the aforementioned 12.63 billion US dollars in 2012 is easily explainable. The fact that expenditures are currently decreasing again clearly shows that Oman is not a country interested in active rearmament.
Keep your distance
As in most other countries around the world, unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter, photograph, or film military facilities. Also, when encountering military or police checkpoints on the highways in Oman, one should not linger longer than necessary and should refrain from taking photos and video recordings here as well.
Discover Oman with experts who have called it their home
Your dream holiday, tailor-made by experts.
We don't just know Oman from books, we visit the country several times a year to experience the culture, landscape and people first-hand.
From your first enquiry to your return home, we are there for you personally - by phone, email or WhatsApp, whenever you need us. Our trips are as unique as you are: individually planned and provided with exclusive privileges and high-quality arrangements that will make your trip unforgettable.
Experts for your Oman trip
You might also like this
General Economic Situation
The general economic situation in Oman is very good. The country owes this to two factors: firstly, the very prudent leadership of the Sultan Qaboos and secondly, the oil and gas resources in the country. However, in recent years, the importance of other sectors of the economy has also been understood, and efforts have been made to promote them further. Thus, the tourism industry, industrial enterprises in general, and agriculture have also become important components of the domestic economy, even though the sale of oil and gas still accounts for around 80% of the government's revenue. The de...
Rub al Khali
The largest contiguous sand desert in the world, the Rub al Khali desert, also covers parts of southern Oman. 650,000 square kilometers of sand and stone – there is not much more to be found here. The desert is so inhospitable and so poor in oases that it is hardly inhabited. No wonder it is called ‘the empty quarter’, for that is exactly what ‘Rub al Khali’ means. Almost a third of the Arabian Peninsula is covered by it. It spans the territories of four countries: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates. The largest desert on Earth has a lot to offer In the Rub al Khali lies...
Modern Era
The Portuguese began to establish small settlements, which were exemplary of the strategy in the Middle East. Yet even here, the Portuguese struggled to establish them long-term. Time and again, they had to defend themselves against the Ottomans, English, Persians, and Dutch. In 1650 AD, it was the Yaruba dynasty that initially unified Oman and expelled the Portuguese. This dynasty had a significant influence on East Africa, bringing great wealth through the slave trade and trade with India. A civil war, lasting about 25 years and resulting from power struggles, allowed the Persians to reemerg...