Oman, Britain Plan Military Exercises

Concerns about regional instability
Oman, Sep. 15 - Oct. 26 2001

NewsAhead
September 1, 2001

The Swift Sword 2 war games, billed as the biggest deployment of British troops since the Falklands (Malvinas) war in the South Atlantic 20 years ago, tests the readiness of the Gulf Arab state and Britain for a deterioration in regional security. It's also an opportunity for Oman to test the performance of its weaponry, bought mainly from Britain and to evaluate potential new purchases. Diplomats say that the Sultanate is boosting military spending after improved revenues from higher oil prices. For Britain the exercises offer the opportunity to verify new doctrines and concepts for the Joint Rapid Reaction Force.

Some 22,000 British troops, several war ships and an aircraft carrier are expected in the area for the war games. They were planned before the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising, but regional fears that the conflict will spread have boosted the importance of the event. Baghdad has already issued warnings to Britain and Oman over the exercises, which, in the wake of the attack on the USS Cole in 2000, also are regarded as a potential target for terrorism.

Environmentalists worried about the impact on whales, turtles and dolphins, and regional political activists who view the exercises as provocation are expected to weigh in closer to the event.

The first Swift Sword military exercise with Britain took place in 1986.

© Copyright 2001

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