United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base
Part of Al Duqm Port and Drydock
Duqm, Al Wusta governorate in Oman
A British armoured vehicle being transported from UKJLSB by an Oshkosh 1070F to Exercise Saif Sareea 3.
United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base is located in Oman
United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base
United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base
Coordinates19°40′07″N 57°42′22″E / 19.66861°N 57.70611°E / 19.66861; 57.70611 (United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base)
TypeMilitary logistics support base
Site information
Owner United Kingdom, Ministry of Defence
Operator British Armed Forces, United Kingdom Royal Navy
Controlled byStrategic Command
Conditionoperational
Site history
Built2017 (2017)
Built byBabcock International
In use2018–present (2018–present)
HMS Queen Elizabeth arriving at Duqm Port, Oman in November 2021.

The United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base (UKJLSB) is a military base located within the Al Duqm Port and Drydock of Duqm in the Al Wusta governorate of Oman. As a British overseas military base, it is used to facilitate the deployment of the British Armed Forces in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, along with the wider British maritime operations in the region.[1]

History

In March 2016, the British government secured a joint venture between the British-based Babcock International and the Omani-based Oman Drydock Company to develop the Al Duqm Port & Drydock into a strategic port capable of supporting naval operations.[1] In late August 2017, following a signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Services Agreement by Sir Michael Fallon, the then British Defence Secretary, an agreement was subsequently announced to construct logistical support infrastructure especially for the British Armed Forces, named the United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base (UKJLSB).[2][3] The location was chosen by the United Kingdom (UK) due to its strategic position, which is east of the Suez Canal but outside the Persian Gulf.[2] It is part of the UK's wider foreign policy strategy to re-engage globally after Brexit, in particular within the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.[4][5][6] Other British military bases within the region include HMS Jufair[4] and RAF Al Udeid, which are located in Bahrain and Qatar, respectively.[7] Prior to construction, the Royal Navy (RN) helped survey the approaches to the harbour.[8]

Following construction by Babcock International, the UKJLSB was officially opened in October 2018, and was used during Exercise Saif Sareea 3 (Swift Sword 3), the largest British military exercise in the region for over 15 years.[9] The base is large enough to accommodate the Royal Navy's nuclear submarines and Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers,[1][2][3] which will utilise the facilities operationally from 2021.[9] Dry dock facilities large enough to accommodate the aircraft carriers are also available for use.[10] As a joint base, it is controlled by Strategic Command (previously Joint Forces Command), and is currently leased for 37 years.[11][12]

During a trip to the Middle East in September 2020, British Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, announced that the UKJLSB would be tripled in size, following a £23.8 million investment to better facilitate British Army training.[10][13][12] Another facility, a joint training area, was also established in the nearby Ras Madrakah training area, named the Omani-British Joint Training Area, in 2019.[14]

In January 2021, the Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose became the first Royal Navy ship to be overhauled at the facility.[8] In November 2021, the base hosted HMS Queen Elizabeth and her carrier strike group for the first time, prior to their participation in joint military training with Omani forces.[15][16] From 2023, the base will be the principal facility for vessels of the British task group, Littoral Response Group (South).[17]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Multi-million pound joint venture announced between Britain and Oman". GOV.UK. HM Government. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Defence Secretary strengthens ties between UK and Oman". GOV.UK. HM Government. 28 August 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  3. 1 2 Tossini, J. Vitor (20 February 2018). "The UK in Oman – a new support facility for the British Armed Forces". UKDefenceJournal.org.uk. UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  4. 1 2 Vagneur-Jones, Antoine (19 July 2017). "Global Britain in the Gulf: Brexit and relations with the GCC". FRStrategie.org. Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  5. ↑ Patalano, Dr Alessio (March 2019). Days of future past? – British strategy and the shaping of Indo-Pacific security (PDF). PolicyExchange.org.uk (Report). Foreword by Sir Michael Fallon MP. Westminster, London, UK: Policy Exchange. ISBN 978-1-910812-67-9. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  6. ↑ "Kuwait's role in London's return east of Suez". GulfIF.org. Gulf International Forum. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  7. ↑ "Inside Al Udeid: RAF commander leading UK air war against Islamic State". Forces.net. 21 September 2017.
  8. 1 2 "Montrose back on patrol after overhaul in Oman". RoyalNavy.MoD.uk. Royal Navy. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Defence Minister reaffirms UK commitment to the Gulf". GOV.UK. HM Government. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  10. 1 2 "Defence Secretary announces investment in strategic Omani port". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence / HM Government. 12 September 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  11. ↑ "Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts" (PDF). GOV.UK. HM Government. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  12. 1 2 "UK to triple its Naval base in Oman's Duqm Port". Defaiya.com. Al Defaiya. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  13. ↑ "UK to expand base in Oman". Janes. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  14. ↑ "UK and Oman sign historic Joint Defence Agreement". GOV.UK. HM Government. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  15. ↑ "Aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth arrives at Duqm to participate in military exercise". TimesOfOman.com. Times of Oman, Muscat Media Group. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  16. ↑ "Oman: UK aircraft carrier joins exercises using logistics base in Duqm". GSN-Online.com. Gulf States Newsletter. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  17. ↑ Williams, Briohny. "Royal Navy task force gears up for landmark deployment". Forces News. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
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