Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed, and his Emirati counterpart, Mohammed Ahmad Al Bowardi, reaffirming the historic and very successful defence relationship.
In his first visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, the Defence Secretary reaffirmed the historic and very successful defence relationship between Britain and her Gulf partners.
Mr Williamson also visited personnel on board HMS Middleton and HMS Bangor, which were alongside at Port Zayed. He took the opportunity to once again express his gratitude for the access and facilities that the UAE provides the UK. The UAE is the most visited port globally by the Royal Navy, highlighting the value Britain places on this relationship in its support to regional stability and security.
In Oman, Mr Williamson met the Minister Responsible For Defence, Badr bin Saud al Busaidi, to discuss the potential embedding of Omani officers to work and train alongside UK Armed Forces as Loan Service Personnel.
They also reviewed the work being undertaken at the Duqm port facilities which, in time, will host UK warships and is large enough to welcome the UK’s future flagships, aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
Also up for discussion was Exercise SAIF SAREEA 3, which will be the largest UK-Oman joint exercise for 15 years. Almost 5,500 British troops from all three services will train side by side with the Sultan’s Armed Forces, sharing experiences and trialling new concepts.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Our long-standing and deep relationship with our Gulf partners epitomises Britain’s global outlook. Be it through our involvement in the Duqm port project in Oman or the opening of the Naval Support Facility in Bahrain, we are committed to regional security and stability.
“Gulf security is our security and what happens in the Gulf has a direct impact on the security of the British public at home.”
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