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.
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History of Oman
The territory of today's Sultanate of Oman was inhabited as early as the Stone Age. Around 2000 BC, Magan, as the region was then called, experienced a peak in copper mining. From 563 BC, Oman was ruled by various Persian rulers. The Persians facilitated the rebuilding of overseas trade with India, Ceylon, and East Africa. An important innovation introduced by the Persians was the so-called 'falaj'. These are canals that secured the water supply in the villages and the irrigation of the fields and are still used today. When in 630 AD the population of Oman voluntarily accepted the faith of I...
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Population
Oman had around 4.52 million inhabitants in 2021. It is likely that the number has again increased, as it has generally been on the rise in recent decades. The birth rate of almost three children per woman not only reflects the Arabian love for large families, rather, it is an expression of the deep satisfaction that persists in the country and of the fact that people have experienced a transformation in the last few decades that is second to none. Due to this fact, more than half of Omanis are under 18 years old and more than 30 % are under 15. The people of Oman today have a much longer life...