Oman to host next GCC war drills in 2003

The next joint military exercises for Omani armed forces will be held in 2003 with other GCC countries, an Omani general said yesterday.

Speaking to Gulf News at Shaiafa, the headquarters of Omani-British war games, Brigadier Soud Sulaiman Al Habsi, Chief, EXCON Training of the second Saif Sareea games evaluated the exercise, now in its tail end, as successful and said that the Sultani Armed Forces would conduct joint and combined exercises with the forces of other brotherly and friendly countries in future.

Both sides said it was a tremendous learning experience and an effective way to reinforce the strong ties between Oman and UK.

"This was an excellent opportunity for us to test our logistics, equipment and ability to tackle harsh terrain and after the first ten days or so, our troops were remarkably acclimatized," Lt Colonel David Brown, Chief Operations, UK, said.