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UK Joint Logistics Support Base

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Coordinates: 19°40′07″N 57°42′22″E / 19.6685°N 57.7061°E / 19.6685; 57.7061
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UK Joint Logistics Support Base
Part of Al Duqm Port & Drydock
Duqm, Al Wusta Region in Oman
UK Joint Logistics Support Base
A British armoured vehicle being transported from UKJLSB to Exercise Saif Sareea 3.
TypeLogistics support base
Site information
Owner United Kingdom
Operator British Armed Forces
Controlled byStrategic Command
Site history
Built2017 (2017)
In use2018-present (2018-present)

The UK Joint Logistics Support Base (UKJLSB) is a military base located within the Al Duqm Port & Drydock of Duqm, 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.

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] An agreement was subsequently announced to construct logistical support infrastructure especially for the British Armed Forces, named the UK Joint Logistics Support Base (UKJLSB), in August 2017.[2] The location was chosen by the 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.[3][4][5] Other British military bases within the region include HMS Jufair and RAF Al Udeid, which are located in Bahrain and Qatar, respectively.[6] Prior to construction, the Royal Navy helped survey the approaches to the harbour.[7]

Following construction by Babcock International, the UKJLSB was officially opened in October 2018 and was used during Exercise Saif Sareea 3, the largest British military exercise in the region for over 15 years.[8] The base is large enough to accommodate the Royal Navy's nuclear submarines and Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, which will utilize the facilities operationally from 2021.[8] Dry dock facilities large enough to accommodate the aircraft carriers are also available for use.[9] As a joint base, it is controlled by Strategic Command (previously Joint Forces Command) and is currently leased for 37 years.[10][11]

HMS Queen Elizabeth arriving at Duqm Port, Oman in November 2021.

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.[9][12][11] 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.[13]

In January 2021, the Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose became the first Royal Navy ship to be overhauled at the facility.[7] In November 2021, the base hosted HMS Queen Elizabeth and her strike group for the first time prior to their participation in joint military training with Omani forces.[14][15]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Multi-million pound joint venture announced between Britain and Oman". GOV.UK. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Defence Secretary strengthens ties between UK and Oman". Ministry of Defence. 28 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Global Britain in the Gulf: Brexit and relations with the GCC". Fondation pour la Recherche Strategique. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Days of Future Past?" (PDF). Policy Exchange. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Kuwait's Role in London's Return East of Suez". Gulf International Forum. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Inside Al Udeid: RAF Commander Leading UK Air War Against Islamic State". Forces.net. 21 September 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Montrose back on patrol after overhaul in Oman". Royal Navy. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Defence Minister reaffirms UK commitment to the Gulf". GOV.UK. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Defence Secretary announces investment in strategic Omani port". GOV.UK. 12 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  11. ^ a b "UK to Triple its Naval Base in Oman's Duqm Port". Al Defaiya. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  12. ^ "UK to expand base in Oman". Janes. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  13. ^ "UK and Oman sign historic Joint Defence Agreement". GOV.UK. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Aircraft Carrier Queen Elizabeth arrives at Duqm to participate in military exercise". Times of Oman. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Oman: UK aircraft carrier joins exercises using logistics base in Duqm". Gulf States Newsletter. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.

19°40′07″N 57°42′22″E / 19.6685°N 57.7061°E / 19.6685; 57.7061

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