Oman Army

The Royal Army of Oman, also known as the Royal Oman Land Forces, is the land warfare branch of the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces. Headquartered at Muaskar al Murtafaa near Muscat, the army is organized under a divisional headquarters that controls subordinate formations, including the 23rd Infantry Brigade in the north, the 11th Infantry Brigade in the south, and specialized border security units. Operational formations include an armored brigade, an armored reconnaissance regiment, multiple infantry regiments—comprising the Muscat Regiment, Northern Frontier Regiment, Desert Regiment, Jebel Regiment, and Southern Regiment—four artillery regiments, and a field engineering regiment. Primary garrison locations include Muaskar al Murtafaa, Salalah, Thumrait, and Izki. Land defense is augmented by separate sovereign elements, including the Royal Guard of Oman and the Sultan's Special Force, which conduct executive protection and counter-terrorism operations.

Armored units operate Challenger 2 and M60A3 main battle tanks, supplemented by FV101 Scorpion light tanks and Panhard VBL scout cars for armored reconnaissance. Mechanized and infantry forces field FNSS Pars III 8x8 and 6x6 wheeled armored combat vehicles, Mowag Piranha armored personnel carriers, Panhard VAB platforms, and mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles including the Oshkosh M-ATV and Navistar MaxxPro. Infantry anti-tank capability relies on TOW, Milan, and Javelin guided missile systems. Artillery units operate G6 Rhino 155mm self-propelled howitzers, M109 self-propelled howitzers, L118 light guns, and Type 90 multiple launch rocket systems. Ground-based air defense units field Javelin and Mistral man-portable air-defense systems, towed Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns, and Rapier surface-to-air missile systems.

The primary missions of the ground forces encompass territorial defense, counter-smuggling, and border security along the frontiers shared with Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Historically, the army gained combat experience during the Dhofar Rebellion and maintains security cooperation within the Gulf Cooperation Council framework. Modernization programs emphasize armored vehicle procurement and domestic sustainment infrastructure. Recent deliveries feature FNSS Pars III 8x8 and 6x6 armored vehicles configured for infantry combat, command, and combat engineering roles. Industrial support capabilities include a dedicated domestic depot-level maintenance and repair facility built in Oman to perform life-cycle overhauls and vehicle modifications.