The Al Shomoukh/2 exercise by the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), the Omani Ministry of Defense departments, the military and security apparatuses, in addition to wide participation from with civil organizations was launched Tuesday.
The military exercise will immediately be followed by the Omani-British military exercise Swift Sword/3 (SS3) which will run through till the end of October 2018 and will be concluded with a practical demonstration on forthcoming November 3rd, according to Oman News Agency (ONA).
Commenting on the exercise, Lt. General Ahmed bin Harith al- Nabhani (photo), Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces said in a statement that the two exercises are part of the preset training plans which aim at providing training on strategic, operation and mobilization levels. All participants will activate the effect lines, such as the diplomatic, economic, information and military lines to achieve the prospective national aims behind this national exercise ; ensuring sustainability of the Sultanate's security and stability which in turn will allow other public establishments to activate the development plans.
“More than 70,000 participants from the various military, security and civil establishments alongside with more than 5500 British soldiers from the U.K. Royal Forces will take part in the exercises. The various military weapons and equipment, which have recently joined service will be used in this exercise which is considered the biggest field exercise in terms of size in the history of Sultan's Armed Forces”, he added.
