The Royal Air Force of Oman Today

The Royal Air Force of Oman is an important, capable and powerful regional air force.

Over the past 50 years, the Royal Air Force of Oman has developed resources able to undertake a wide range of operations. That capability is grounded in a relationship with the Royal Air Force, which has supported its evolution based on a set of shared values, beliefs and mutual respect for their respective achievements.

The Royal Air Force of Oman, 1990 to Today

The Sultan of Oman’s Air Force was formally renamed the Royal Air Force of Oman on 1 August 1990. This marked an important step in the Royal Air Force of Oman’s modernisation programme. In 1993, the Royal Air Force of Oman received BAE Hawks, which replaced its fleet of Hawker Hunters. In 2000, the Royal Air Force of Oman retired its ageing BAC Strikemasters while in 2005 the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon came into service.

The Royal Air Force of Oman has not ignored its role in supporting Oman’s civilian population in a challenging geographical environment. Many of its aircraft, such as its helicopter and transport fleets, have been purchased for their ability to cope with the country’s geography. The Royal Air Force of Oman also significantly invests in its people as the service recognises that to be agile and adaptable it must have the best trained and professional officers and personnel possible.

International Collaboration

Apart from its relationship with the Royal Air Force, the Royal Air Force of Oman enjoys close working relationships with many other air forces. The United States Air Force maintains War Reserve Material stocks in Oman and conducts exercises in country.

The French Air Force also regularly partakes in exercises, which allows it to develop its operational capabilities. The Royal Air Force of Oman also takes part in exercises with the member air forces of the Gulf Co-operation Council. The Royal Air Force of Oman regularly sends officers to staff colleges around the world to increase their professional knowledge.

The Royal Air Force of Oman’s Historical Archive and Document Section

In 2006, the Royal Air Force of Oman took an important step in preserving its own history and heritage when it formed its own archive. The section’s mission is to preserve and conserve historically important documents, photographs, videos, uniforms and other ephemera for use by researchers. The section also evaluates the historical significance of all closed Royal Air Force of Oman files and decides whether to preserve or destroy them. To date more than two million pictures and two thousand films have been preserved