Oman buys British fighter jets
Oman, Military, 9/25/1997

After Iraq invaded Kuwait, August 2, 1990, the Gulf states' awarness of the dangers surrounding them increased. With recent concerns about the dispute between the United Arab Emirates and Iran, which has made efforts to buy long-range rockets from Russia and China, there has been an added effort by the Gulf countries to aquire advanced weaponry for which west countries, Russia and China are eager to supply.

This week Britain signed an agreement with Oman, under which London will upgrade the Royal Air Force of Oman's Jaguar fighter air craft.

The Ministry of Defense said the agreement was another step towards the development of Oman's forces with the aim of increasing combat capability and personnel training.

Analysts said Oman's Royal Air Force (RAFO) was moving forward to a new era of modernization and development that puts the British RAFO'S Jaguar aircraft on par with the 1997 Jaguar of the British Royal Air Force and will extend its operational life span for many years into the 21st century.

The project is a link in the chain of joint Omani-British cooperation. The Jaguar fleet would be upgraded to the highest British Royal Air Force standards.

British Defense Secretary George Robertson said, "I am able to make clear that Britain and British companies will provide, maintain upgrade equipment for the armed forces of Oman." Britain will provide a service contingent and train the sultan's armed forces, he told a press conference. Robertson discussed with Sultan Qaboos regional and political issues of permanent interest to Oman and the UK.

Commenting on the stalemated Middle East peace process, Robertson said recent acts of terrorism against the Israeli people were outrageous and a negative factor in the process while also saying that Israel's settlement policy was unhelpful to the process.

About the economic conference summit due to be held in Doha, Robertson said Britain hoped there would be a way to participate in the gathering.

Britain would not soften its stand on the issue of sanctions against Iraq, he said, adding that London considered it important that Baghdad comply with UN security council resolutions. Britain was concerned that Iraq was not cooperating on inspections of its weapons of mass destruction.

Robertson said his government was looking for positive changes in Iran's domestic and foreign policies now that a new president had taken over.

Previous Stories:
  No contacts with Israel   (9/16/1997)
  Oman-Iran a new page in relationship   (9/12/1997)
  Sultanate of Oman as the Switzerland of Arabia   (9/4/1997)

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