"The Vessels are designed to operate in high seas" —Commander Royal Navy of Oman (CRNO)

HE Sayyid Badir Bin Saud bin Harub Al-Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs, signed in his office at Muasker Bait Al-Falaj on Monday 15 Jan, a contract with the British company VT pertaining Khareef Project Agreement, to build 3 vessels for Royal Navy of Oman (RNO).

The agreement was signed on behalf of the manufacturing company by its executive officer. The ceremony was attended by Liwaa Rukn Bahry/Salim bin Abdullah Al Alawi-CRNO and HE Mohammed bin Nasser Al Rasbi – Under Secretary Ministry of Defence (MOD).

The agreement reinforces continuous efforts to modernise Sultan's Armed Forces and to enhance their combat capabilities, as well as qualifying Omani Cadres with the state-of-art equipment. By signing the contract, RNO made a leap into a new milestone of operational and combat capability to operate and work closely with various SAF Units, and with brotherly and friendly naval forces during joint exercises and operations, alongside fighting illegal migration maritime pollution, search and rescue operations.

In a statement by CRNO, "Possession of such vessels will undoubtedly support the role of the Fleet and its readiness to carryout its tasks, such imposing national sovereignty over territorial waters, maintaining safety of navigation in the Gulf and the Arabian Sea, hence, positively impact trade, and securing sea lanes and oil tankers not only in the strait of Hormuz but also in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. The technical specifications of these vessels will enable them to operate in high seas for a longer time. These vessels are equipped with state-of-art equipment".