Oman Military - 2022

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

Military and security forces

Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman (RAO), Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), Royal Guard of Oman (RGO); Royal Oman Police (ROP): Civil Defense, Immigration, Customs, Royal Oman Police Coast Guard (2022)

note: in addition to its policing duties, the Royal Oman Police conducts many administrative functions similar to the responsibilities of a Ministry of Interior in other countries   

Military expenditures

8% of GDP (2021 est.)

11% of GDP (2020 est.)

11.8% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $12.1 billion)

11.2% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $11.8 billion)

12.3% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $12.7 billion)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 40,000 active duty troops (25,000 Army, 5,000 Navy; 5,000 Air Force; 5,000 Royal Guard) (2022)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the SAF's inventory includes a mix of older and some more modern weapons systems from a variety of suppliers, particularly Europe and the US; since 2010, the UK and the US have been the leading suppliers of arms to Oman (2022)

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service (women have been allowed to serve since 2011); no conscription (2022)

Military - note

the SAF has a longstanding security relationship with the British military going back to the 18^th century; as of 2022, the SAF and the British maintained a joint training base in Oman and exercised together regularly; in 2017, Oman and the British signed an agreement allowing the British military the use of facilities at Al Duqm Port; in 2019, the US obtained access to the port (2022)

Maritime threats

the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2022-003 Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea-Threats to US and International Shipping from Iran) effective 28 February 2022, which states in part that "heightened military activities and increased political tensions in this region continue to present risk to commercial shipping...there is a continued possibility that Iran and/or its regional proxies could take actions against US and partner interests in the region"; Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel has been established to provide escorts for commercial shipping transiting the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman

NOTE: The information regarding Oman on this page is re-published from the 2022 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Oman 2022 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Oman 2022 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.