Oman seeking more US missiles

Oman has requested the sale of $96 million worth of guided missiles from the United States, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said.

In a statement posted on its official website, the DSCA said it had notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Oman for 400 Javelin Guided Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $96 million.

The DSCA, which oversees foreign arms sales, added that the proposed sale of the JAVELIN Anti-Tank Weapon System would “improve Oman’s capability to meet current and future threats and provide greater security for its critical oil and natural gas infrastructure.”

"Oman would use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense. Oman will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces," the statement said.

The DSCA also said the principal contractors of the possible deal will be Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture in Orlando, Florida and Tucson, Arizona.

“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region” the U.S. Department of Defense-affiliated agency said, adding that “there will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”

Three of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states last week topped the world’s top ten most militarized nations, according to the latest Global Militarization Index by the Bonn International Centre for Conversion (BICC).

The Middle East is the most militarized region in the world with all of its countries ranked among the top 40, according the BICC.

Kuwait is considered the most militarized in the GCC in seventh position globally followed by Bahrain (9th) and Saudi Arabia (10th).

Israel topped the global index ahead of Singapore, Russia, Syria and Jordan. Bahrain, which last year was forced to bring in troops from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to shore up security amid a wave of anti-government protests, made its first entry into the top ten.

Qatar, which last week requested $6.5bn worth of U.S. military equipment, is considered the least militarized Gulf state at 43rd globally while Oman and the UAE ranked 11th and 13th, respectively.