Activities of the joint Oman-Britain military exercise codenamed “Magic Carpet 2023” began at the drill zone in the Governorate of Dhofar Sunday.

The drill is run by the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) and the British Royal Air Force, with support from the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) and the Sultan’s Special Force (SSF).

The drill, which continues till 23 February 2023, includes executing joint training air operations within the framework of joint cooperation and sharing military expertise between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Kingdom according to the training programme adopted by RAFO Command to exchange experience with sisterly and friendly countries.

In another development, General Jacob Mkunda, Chief of Defence Forces in the United Republic of Tanzania visited the Sultnate of Oman.

General Mkunda and his accompanying delegation were respectively received by HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs; Vice Admiral Abdullah Khamis Al Ra’eesi, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF); and General Sultan Mohammed Al Nuamani, Minister of the Royal Office.

The meeting reviewed the advanced relations between the two countries. Views on a spectrum of topics of mutual interest were also exchanged, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.

Abdallah Abasi Kilima, Tanzania’s Ambassador to Oman, attended all three meetings.

The Tanzanian Defence Chief, and his accompanying delegation, also visited the Maritime Security Center (MSC).

During the visit, the guest was accompanied by Vice Admiral Abdullah Khamis Al Ra’eesi, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces and the Tanzanian Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman.

Upon his arrival at the MSC, the guest was greeted by Rear Admiral Saif Nassir Al Rahbi, Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) and Commodore Adil Hamoud Al Busaidi, Head of the MSC.

The guest toured the center’s facilities and viewed its latest equipment and technologies.

He was also briefed on the roles and tasks carried out by the center within its national duties, as it coordinates with relevant authorities in search and rescue missions for the safety of the maritime environment.