DEFENCE, LAW AND ORDER

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Royal Oman Police. Since the 1970s, he has made it a priority to develop and modernise the armed forces and to preserve peace and stability in a nation from a region known for turbulence. In the early 1970s, Oman faced a major conflict in the south of the country, when rebels in Dhofar tried to secede. Troops loyal to the Sultan defeated the rebels by 1975. Although Oman no longer faces any serious internal or external threat, it continues to modernise its armed forces.
In December 1996, the Basic Statute of the State established Oman’s Defence Council by Royal Decree. The Council is chaired by Sultan Qaboos, and its members include the Minister of Royal Diwan, the Inspector-General of police and Customs, the Commanders of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Royal Guard and the head of Internal Security. The armed forces are well trained and equipped to uphold the Sultanate’s peace, security and stability.
Oman’s military academies and specialist training schools include Sultan Qaboos Staff and Command College, the Sultan Qaboos Military College, the Sultan Qaboos Air Academy, the Air Force Technical College, the Royal Guard Technical College, the Air Force Command and Control College, the Royal Navy Training Centre and the Officer Training School. A new joint training college is being built for the needs of all Services.
Omani soldiers take part in joint exercises with Gulf Co-operation Council states and other nations. During October 2001, the Sultan’s Armed Forces and British troops staged the joint exercise, Saif Sareea (Swift Sword), in Oman. Preparation and planning began in 1998. Omani officers worked alongside British officers, and proved the effectiveness of Omani soldiers in modern, combined operations.
The armed forces undertake road building, transport essential goods to isolated areas, and operate flying doctor and search-and-rescue operations. Troops are called up to alleviate natural disasters, rescue fishermen and shipping vessels in distress and arrest illegal immigrants in co-operation with other national bodies.

The Royal Army of Oman (RAO)

The RAO consists of three bodies – infantry, armour and artillery, plus support services. Infantry comprises the Muscat Regiment, the Northern Frontier Regiment, the Desert Regiment, the Mountain Regiment, the Oman Coastal Regiment, the South Oman Regiment and the Western Frontier Regiment. It also includes the Parachute Regiment, the Special Forces and the Firqat forces, originally created as an irregular army during the war in Dhofar in the 1960s. The armour and artillery regiments are equipped with the latest heavy- and medium-range field guns, vehicles and radar, and have an advanced air defence capability.

Supporting the infantry, the Engineers Corp is trained to clear minefields and obstacles on the battlefield. The engineers have mechanical troop carriers, armoured reconnaissance vehicles, detection and warning equipment to detect poison gas and other weapons of mass destruction. In addition to their military duties, members of the Engineers Corp have helped to build roads for remote communities and other construction.
The Royal Army of Oman has its own medical services. In 1993, Unicef named the Al Khoudh military hospital as a pioneer in children’s health. Officer cadet train at Sultan Qaboos Military Academy, before being commissioned into their regiments. Senior officers attend the Sultan’s Armed Forces Command and Staff College, which also trains officers from Yemen and GCC armed forces.

The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO)

Since the 1970’s, the Royal Air Force of Oman has emerged as a world-class airforce. Its fighting capability has been strengthened by modern fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, anti-missile batteries, advanced radar systems, training aircraft and airbases equipped with the latest warning and communication systems. Oman signed an agreement in January 2002 to supply RAFO with British Super Lynx 2000 helicopters and operational effectiveness. RAFO also ordered a number of F-16 American fighter aircraft, to be deployed alongside RAFO’s existing fleet of Jaguar and Hawk (100 and 200 series) fighter jets.

 
RAFO continues to train and to update aircraft and equipment. In February 2001, it launched the Belt of Co-operation (Hizaam Al Ta’awun) exercise, involving the airforces of AGCC member states. Sultan Qaboos Air Academy opened on Masirah Island in 1986, to train airforce officers and air crew. A Technical Air College trains technicians to maintain and operate sophisticated radar and aircraft equipment.

The Royal Navy of Oman (RNO)

Oman established Muscat harbour as its major naval base in the Seventies. But by the Eighties RNO had outgrown its base, and the Sultan took the decision to build a new naval base at Wudam on the Batinah coast. Wudam is home to the expanding naval fleet, comprising corvettes, fast patrol boats, gun ships armed with missiles, landing craft and coastal patrol vessels, and the navy’s administration and support services.

 
Other naval bases provide secure harbours for ships, crews, and logistics, administration and engineering services. One of RNO’s chief responsibilities is to ensure the safe passage of ships and oil tankers through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Among the highlights of 2001 was the voyage of RNO’s sailing ship the RNOV Shabab Oman to northern Europe, where it was greeted enthusiastically in all ports of call. The ship won the International Friendship Cup for the third time at Esbjerg in Denmark.

The Royal Guard of Oman (RGO)

The Royal Guard of Oman regiment was created in 1973, to protect Sultan Qaboos, and to guard royal property and visiting dignitaries. This corps d’elite is trained both as a fighting force and as a ceremonial unit, staging regular training exercises and competing in sporting and military events.
RGO is modernising its fighting capability, investing in modern weapons and equipment. It has given priority to training and fitness. Cadets from the Royal Guard Technical College provide Oman and other countries with skilled cadres. The Technical College won a certificate of excellence from the British Council of Technical Education in June 2001.

The Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra and military band of the Royal Guard boast talented, well-trained musicians, and the Royal Guard’s Red Helmets free-fall parachute team stage magnificent parachuting displays.

National Survey Authority

Founded in 1974, the National Survey Authority is Oman’s central agency for producing military and civilian maps. It carries out aerial photographic surveys across the Sultanate to produce flight charts and geographic information.

Welfare and public relations

The directorate of military social services was set up in 1972, and has witnessed remarkable growth in welfare care. It provides housing grants and accommodation for soldiers and their families, offering help and support to members with difficulties, and caring for retired soldiers, former soldiers with special needs and the families of the sick. In 1992, Oman’s military welfare services became a permanent member of the Arab Union for War Veterans and War Victims.
Formed in 1974, the moral guidance and public relations department promotes morale and provides military information, announcing historic achievements and encouraging military, social and cultural activities. It publishes the armed forces’ magazine Jund Oman. The department produces documentary films, in partnership with the Ministry of Information.

The Armed Forces Museum

The Armed Forces Museum at Bait Al Falaj fort is a showcase for Oman’s military traditions. It displays Omani military history and achievements. The museum contains models, pictures and documents relating to historic events in the armed forces, and the development of weaponry through the ages.

Sport and music

Oman’s armed forces have achieved great success at Arab and international sporting events. The national shooting team achieved excellent results in the International Military Championship in Britain in 2001. The SAF free fall parachute team has participated in international competitions, achieving excellent results.
Oman’s military bands attend national and international events. The Royal Army band took part in an international music competition in Scotland in August 2001. Oman is the only Arab country to take part in musical events on the world stage. The Royal Air Force band also took part in a tattoo in Holland in September 2001, and attended the fourth tattoo for military bands in May 2002 in Germany.

Royal Oman Police

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) maintains security throughout Oman. The Royal Oman Police Academy Nizwa (ROPAN) was established in 1980 to train ROP personnel to work effectively in the field. A Royal Decree issued in July 2000 renamed ROPAN the Sultan Qaboos Academy for Police Sciences where students are awarded BA degrees in law and police sciences. This Decree also issued new college regulations to upgrade trainings in the police service. Earlier graduates were awarded diplomas in police sciences. Twelve batches of college students have graduated with diplomas. In 2002, two batches of students were enrolled on the BA course; the first group comprises 66 students, and the second 57 students, including seven from other Gulf Co-operation Council states and Yemen. The Decree improved academic and practical training for ROP officers, awarding higher certificates. Candidates must hold a general secondary certificate in scientific or literary subjects, be physically fit and pass the college’s academic and practical entry tests.
Courses at the college last four years, with terms based on a credit hours system. The students receive tuition in the law and police practice and other subjects, and graduate with the rank of Second Lieutenant, holding a BA degree in law and police sciences.
Recruits holding university qualifications can train in police practice over two terms, gaining diplomas in police sciences. Graduates from SQAPS include several senior police officers.
The academy attaches particular importance to training women police officers, and has seen a significant increase in female intake in recent years. ROP has police headquarters across Oman, to uphold security across the country. Eight regional headquarters oversee units and stations within their areas, equipped with the latest technology.
Omanisation has been phased in gradually since 1991 to avoid any negative impact on police performance and competence. After training, recruits are assigned to various duties to gain experience and expertise, and gradually replace expatriate personnel across the service.
The Mounted Police unit reaches places inaccessible to other transport and its stables include thoroughbred horses and Omani camels. The police dog section carries out guard, inspection and tracking duties, and performs at pageants and festivals. The unit has a training school, a riding school, a polo ground, an exercise ground for horses and a race track, services, residential accommodation, offices and a veterinary clinic for its horses.

Emergency rescue

The Police Coastguard Unit at Port Sultan Qaboos in Mutrah is one of ROP’s most important departments, maintaining law and order and guarding the Sultanate’s 1,700km coastline. ROP boats patrol the seas to prevent illegal immigration and smuggling and provide assistance to seafarers, particularly in difficult weather.
Early in 2002, it signed contracts to purchase new state-of-the-art patrol boats, and advanced engines for the unit’s existing patrol boats. The unit’s Sea Rescue Team responds promptly to calls for help and helps to reduce deaths by drowning.
The police aviation directorate responds to appeals during natural disasters, providing aid and rescue services for those in difficulty at sea, in the mountains or in flooded wadis. It transports medical and relief teams and operates a flying doctor service. It uses the latest technology in its air rescue operations and has a number of helicopters and passenger transport aircraft.
Advanced BA139 helicopters carry out rescue and support duties and provide social, humanitarian and security services, and to protect the Sultanate’s territorial waters from illegal immigrants and smugglers.

The courts

Royal Decree 14/2001 created 40 Courts of First Instance in 40 wilayats. Small court circuits employ a single judge who issues the courts’ rulings, but seven Courts of First Instance serving Oman’s largest cities employ three-judge circuits along with the single judges to decide special cases. The Judicial Authority Law created six Courts of Appeal. The Supreme Court, responsible for standardising legal principles and amending rulings, is Oman’s highest court. There is also an Administrative Court (comprised of First Instance and Appeal circuits) which is designed to provide a forum for a review of decisions made by government bodies. It has the power to reverse decisions made by government bodies and to award compensation.
Courts rule on general, civil and commercial cases, applications for arbitration, personal status actions and labour, tax and rent cases and other cases. Previously these fell under the jurisdiction of several judicial authorities including the Shariah Courts, the Commercial Court, the Criminal Court, and various committees.
In 1999 a Royal Decree established a Public Prosecutor service, and a Public Prosecutor was appointed in June 2001 following nominations submitted by the Administrative Affairs Council.
Oman’s Ministry of Justice oversees lawyers’ affairs and ensures compliance with regulations promotes regional and international co-operation in the judicial field and manages orphans’ and Palace funds. Ministerial Decision 132/2001 approved the organisational structures of the courts.
Ministerial Decision 128/2001 defines para-judicial procedures of investigation, issuing fatwas (legal opinions), expressing views on legal issues, sitting on judicial committees and arbitration in civil and commercial matters. The Decision provides guidance on appointments to judicial posts when the candidate is not a member of the judiciary.

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