Oman Air Force secures new jets for £380 million

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The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has finalised its deal with Lockheed Martin to purchase a further 12 F-16C/D Block 50 fighters for its fleet in a deal worth £380 million.

The new aircraft will be the second batch of 12 F-16s which began delivery to Oman in 2005, further strengthening the nation’s control of its borders, and will consist of ten single-seat ‘C’ fighters and two two-seat ‘D’ training versions.

The contract includes manufacture of the aircraft at Lockheed’s Fort Worth site, as well as all necessary logistics and support technology and equipment. In addition, it is believed the deal will allow for all existing Omani F-16s to benefit from a revamp.

Completion of the delivery is expected by the end of 2016.

Aside to the F-16 fleet, the RAFO currently has in its hangars 27 SEPECAT Jaguar S/Bs, and 12 BAe Hawk 203s, both acquired from the UK.

News of the new deal may come as a concern to the UK government, which is still in talks with Oman to sell a contingent of Eurofighter Typhoons to the RAFO in a potential multi-billion pound agreement.

Since 2008, plans have been underway between the two nations for provision of up to 24 Typhoons to replace Oman’s ageing Jaguar fleet. The new contract with Lockheed could see the deal with Britain pushed back beyond 2012.

Eventual finalisation of these contracts are expected to continue to decrease Oman’s reliability on its military allies, but at the same time solidify its ties with Britain and the United States at a time when internal tensions in the Middle East remain.

Other Gulf region countries have upped their military capabilities in recent months, particularly in the domain of home nation security platforms, as a result of the Arab Spring and diplomatic disputes with Iran.

Iraq, having bid farewell to the last occupying US troops this month, have also placed a follow on order to acquire 18 F-16s.

Manufacture of the aircraft will extend the popular fighter’s lifespan for two more years, following plans to end production by 2013. Introduction of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has pushed the F-16 towards retirement by the US and its partners, but results of the new fighter will be watched closely by Middle Eastern allies over the coming months.

It has also been announced that Saudi Arabia has inked a deal with the US for 84 new F-15s and upgrades to its existing fleet of 72, worth around £188 billion. This comes in addition to current £28 billion upgrade to the Air Force’s Tornadoes, and rumour that it may also purchase another 72 Eurofighters following its 2006 deal with the UK.

Contributor:   Richard de Silva

Richard de Silva reports on defence and security at DefenceIQ.com. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and Film and a Master’s Degree in Film from Kingston University, London.

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