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| aircraft_bomber =
| aircraft_bomber =
| aircraft_electronic =
| aircraft_electronic =
| aircraft_fighter = [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]], [[Eurofighter Typhoon]]
| aircraft_fighter = [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]], [[Eurofighter Typhoon]], [[Hawker Siddeley Hawk|BAe Hawk 203]]
| aircraft_helicopter = (SuperLynx, NH-90, Bell429/Bell206)
| aircraft_helicopter = (SuperLynx, NH90, Bell429/Bell206)
| aircraft_helicopter_attack =
| aircraft_helicopter_attack =
| aircraft_interceptor =
| aircraft_interceptor =
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}}
}}


The '''Royal Air Force of Oman''' ({{lang-ar|سلاح الجو السلطاني عمان|Silāḥ al-Jaww as-Sulṭāniy ‘Umān}} or '''RAFO''') is the air arm of the [[Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces|Armed Forces of Oman]].
The '''Royal Air Force of Oman''' ({{langx|ar|سلاح الجو السلطاني عمان|Silāḥ al-Jaww as-Sulṭāniy ‘Umān}} or '''RAFO''') is the air arm of the [[Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces|Armed Forces of Oman]].


==History==
==History==
Line 67: Line 67:
The Sultan of Oman's Air Force (SOAF) was formed with [[United Kingdom|British]] personnel and aircraft in March 1959. The first aircraft were two [[Scottish Aviation Pioneer]]s transferred from the [[Royal Air Force]]. The first armed aircraft was the [[Percival Provost|Percival Provost T52]].<ref name="Arab Aviation">{{cite web | url=http://www.arabaviation.com/en-us/airpower/omanairforce.aspx | title=Royal Air Force of Oman | access-date=31 January 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209030350/http://arabaviation.com/en-us/airpower/omanairforce.aspx | archive-date=9 February 2014 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
The Sultan of Oman's Air Force (SOAF) was formed with [[United Kingdom|British]] personnel and aircraft in March 1959. The first aircraft were two [[Scottish Aviation Pioneer]]s transferred from the [[Royal Air Force]]. The first armed aircraft was the [[Percival Provost|Percival Provost T52]].<ref name="Arab Aviation">{{cite web | url=http://www.arabaviation.com/en-us/airpower/omanairforce.aspx | title=Royal Air Force of Oman | access-date=31 January 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209030350/http://arabaviation.com/en-us/airpower/omanairforce.aspx | archive-date=9 February 2014 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>


In 1968 the SOAF received the first of 24 [[BAC Strikemaster]] jet trainer and light strike aircraft for operation against insurgents in the [[Dhofar]] region. In 1974 the SOAF was expanded with orders for the [[Britten Norman Islander|Britten Norman Defender]], [[BAC One-Eleven]], [[Vickers VC10|BAC VC10]] and 32 [[Hawker Hunter]] ground attack aircraft. In 1977 [[SEPECAT Jaguar|Jaguar International]] joined the SOAF, followed in the 1980s by the [[Hawker Siddeley Hawk|BAe Hawk]].<ref name="Arab Aviation"/>
In 1968 the SOAF received the first of 24 [[BAC Strikemaster]] jet trainer and light strike aircraft for operation against insurgents in the [[Dhofar]] region. In 1974 the SOAF was expanded with orders for the [[Britten Norman Islander|Britten Norman Defender]], [[BAC One-Eleven]], [[Vickers VC10|BAC VC10]] and 32 [[Hawker Hunter]] ground attack aircraft. In 1977 [[SEPECAT Jaguar|Jaguar International]] joined the SOAF, followed in the 1980s by the [[Hawker Siddeley Hawk|BAE Hawk]].<ref name="Arab Aviation"/>


===Royal Air Force of Oman era===
===Royal Air Force of Oman era===
[[File:JaguarSO1 IL-38 1987.jpeg|thumb|left|A Royal Air Force of Oman Jaguar intercepting an [[Ilyushin Il-38|Il-38]] in 1987]]
[[File:JaguarSO1 IL-38 1987.jpeg|thumb|left|A Royal Air Force of Oman Jaguar intercepting an [[Ilyushin Il-38|Il-38]] in 1987]]
In 1990 the SOAF was renamed the '''Royal Air Force of Oman''' (RAFO).<ref name="Arab Aviation"/> In 1993 and 1994 the RAFO replaced its Hawker Hunters with four BAE Hawk Mk 103 fighter-trainers and 12 single-seat Hawk Mk 203, equipped with Westinghouse APG-66H radar, as light ground attack/interceptors. In September 1997 after the evaluation of new combat aircraft the RAFO decided to upgrade and extend the service lives of its remaining 17 SEPECAT Jaguar ground attack fighters until the second decade of the 21st century. A contract was placed with the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|United Kingdom Ministry of Defence]] to upgrade the avionics of the Jaguar aircraft for $40&nbsp;million. In 2005 deliveries started of the F-16, equipped with improved GPS/INS. The aircraft can carry a further batch of advanced missiles; the [[AGM-88 HARM]] missile, JDAM, JSOW and WCMD. Block 50 aircraft are powered by the F110-GE-129 while the Block 52 jets use the F100-PW-229.
In 1990 the SOAF was renamed the '''Royal Air Force of Oman''' (RAFO).<ref name="Arab Aviation"/> In 1993 and 1994 the RAFO replaced its Hawker Hunters with four BAE Hawk Mk 103 fighter-trainers and 12 single-seat Hawk Mk 203s, equipped with Westinghouse APG-66H radar, as light ground attack aircraft/interceptors. In September 1997, after the evaluation of new combat aircraft, the RAFO decided to upgrade and extend the service lives of its remaining 17 SEPECAT Jaguar ground attack aircraft until the second decade of the 21st century. A contract was placed with the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|United Kingdom Ministry of Defence]] to upgrade the avionics of the Jaguar aircraft for $40&nbsp;million. In 2005, deliveries of [[Lockheed Martin F-16]] Block 50 aircraft began, equipped with improved GPS/INS. The aircraft can carry a further batch of advanced missiles; the [[AGM-88 HARM]] missile, JDAM, JSOW and WCMD.


On 3 August 2010 the USA Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible sale of 18 F-16 Block 50/52 to Oman in a contract worth US$3.5&nbsp;Billion. In addition to the new fighters, the contract included upgrading existing 12 F-16 C/D in the RAFO inventory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2010/Oman_10-40.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-08-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821021308/http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2010/Oman_10-40.pdf |archive-date=21 August 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 14 December 2011 it was announced that Oman had agreed to buy an additional 12 F-16C/D Block 50s to join the 12 F-16s C/Ds already in service.<ref>Hoyle, Craig. [http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/omani-f-16-win-delivers-blow-for-eurofighter-366030/ "Omani F-16 deal means continued wait for Eurofighter."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109080709/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/omani-f-16-win-delivers-blow-for-eurofighter-366030/ |date=9 January 2012 }} ''Flight International'' via ''flightglobal.com,'' 14 December 2011. Retrieved: 18 December 2011.</ref>
On 3 August 2010, the USA Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified the Congress of a possible sale of 18 F-16 Block 50/52 to Oman in a contract worth US$3.5&nbsp;Billion. In addition to the new fighters, the contract included upgrading existing 12 F-16 C/D in the RAFO inventory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2010/Oman_10-40.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-08-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821021308/http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2010/Oman_10-40.pdf |archive-date=21 August 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 14 December 2011, it was announced that Oman had agreed to buy an additional 12 F-16C/D Block 50s to join the 12 F-16C/Ds already in service.<ref>Hoyle, Craig. [http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/omani-f-16-win-delivers-blow-for-eurofighter-366030/ "Omani F-16 deal means continued wait for Eurofighter."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109080709/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/omani-f-16-win-delivers-blow-for-eurofighter-366030/ |date=9 January 2012 }} ''Flight International'' via ''flightglobal.com,'' 14 December 2011. Retrieved: 18 December 2011.</ref>


Oman was considering the purchase of either [[Eurofighter Typhoon]] or [[JAS 39 Gripen]] aircraft,<ref>[http://tacticalreport.com/view_news/Royal_Air_Force_of_Oman_JAS_39_Gripen_and_Eurofighter_Typhoon/1229 Royal Air Force of Oman, JAS 39 Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606230556/http://tacticalreport.com/view_news/Royal_Air_Force_of_Oman_JAS_39_Gripen_and_Eurofighter_Typhoon/1229 |date=6 June 2010 }}. Tactical Report (2010-06-03). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.</ref> but on 21 December 2012 a [[Pound sterling|£]]2.5 billion deal was signed in Muscat to supply RAFO with 12 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets and eight [[Hawker Siddeley Hawk|BAE Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer]] aircraft, the delivery was complete in 2018.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20808517 BBC News - BAE Systems wins £2.5bn Oman Hawk and Typhoon contract] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118183540/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20808517 |date=18 November 2018 }}. Bbc.co.uk (2012-12-21). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.</ref>
Oman was considering the purchase of either the [[Eurofighter Typhoon]] or the [[JAS 39 Gripen]],<ref>[http://tacticalreport.com/view_news/Royal_Air_Force_of_Oman_JAS_39_Gripen_and_Eurofighter_Typhoon/1229 Royal Air Force of Oman, JAS 39 Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606230556/http://tacticalreport.com/view_news/Royal_Air_Force_of_Oman_JAS_39_Gripen_and_Eurofighter_Typhoon/1229 |date=6 June 2010 }}. Tactical Report (2010-06-03). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.</ref> but on 21 December 2012 a [[Pound sterling|£]]2.5 billion deal was signed in Muscat to supply RAFO with 12 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets and eight [[Hawker Siddeley Hawk|BAE Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer]] aircraft. The deliveries were completed in 2018.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20808517 BBC News - BAE Systems wins £2.5bn Oman Hawk and Typhoon contract] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118183540/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20808517 |date=18 November 2018 }}. Bbc.co.uk (2012-12-21). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.</ref>


==Bases==
==Bases==
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==Aircraft==
==Aircraft==

=== Current inventory ===
=== Current inventory ===
[[File:Royal air force of Oman Hawk Mk 166 Advanced Jet Trainer.jpg|thumb|A Hawk Mk 103 advanced trainer]]
[[File:Lockheed C-130H Hercules 502 (6803109449).jpg|thumb|right|A C-130H Hercules on take off]]
[[File:Lockheed C-130H Hercules 502 (6803109449).jpg|thumb|right|A C-130H Hercules on take off]]
[[File:Oman AF - Eurocopter EC 225LP Super Puma II+.jpg|thumb|right|A Eurocopter EC225LP Super Puma]]
[[File:Oman AF - Eurocopter EC 225LP Super Puma II+.jpg|thumb|right|A Eurocopter EC225LP Super Puma]]
[[File:Bell 429 - Oman Air Force - IS23 TCCC and MEDEVAC training (2).webp|thumb|Bell 429 during Medevac]]
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
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! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat Aircraft]]
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat aircraft]]
|-
|-
| [[Eurofighter Typhoon]]
| [[Eurofighter Typhoon]]
| [[United Kingdom]]
| [[Europe]]
| [[Multirole combat aircraft|multirole]]
| [[Multirole combat aircraft|Multirole]]
|
|
|128<ref name="World Air Forces 2023">{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=90688|title = World Air Forces 2023|publisher= Flightglobal Insight|year= 2023 |doi = |accessdate= 14 February 2023|url-access=registration}}</ref>
|12<ref name="World Air Forces 2024">{{cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |year=2024 |title=World Air Forces 2025 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=106507 |access-date=8 December 2024 |publisher=[[FlightGlobal]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|-
| [[British Aerospace Hawk 200|BAE Hawk 200]]
| [[F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]]
| [[United States]]
| [[United Kingdom]]
|[[Light fighter|light multirole]]
|[[Light fighter|Light multirole]]
| [[British Aerospace Hawk 200#Variants|203]], [[BAE Systems Hawk#Hawk 100|103’s]]
| [[McDonnell Douglas]]
| 210<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
| 21<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
| 4 [[F-15 Eagle]] provide [[Trainer aircraft#Lead-in fighter training|conversion training]]
|11 [[BAE Systems Hawk#Hawk 100|103s]] provide [[Trainer aircraft#Lead-in fighter training|LIFT]]
|-
|-
| [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 Fighting Falcon]]
| [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 Fighting Falcon]]
| [[United States]]
| [[United States]]
| Multirole
| multirole
| [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16C/D|F-16C]]
| [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16C/D|F-16C/D]]
|225<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|23<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|6 [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16C/D|F-16D]]’s provide [[Trainer aircraft#Lead-in fighter training|conversion training]]
|6 [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16C/D|F-16D]]s provide [[Trainer aircraft#Lead-in fighter training|conversion training]]
⚫
|
|-
|-
⚫
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7"| [[Maritime patrol aircraft|Maritime patrol]]
| [[Sukhoi Su-57]]
| [[Russia]]
| [[Multirole combat aircraft|multirole]]
⚫
|
|35<ref name="World Air Forces 2023">{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=90688|title = World Air Forces 2023|publisher= Flightglobal Insight|year= 2023 |doi = |accessdate= 14 February 2023|url-access=registration}}</ref>
⚫
|
⚫
|-
⚫
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7"| [[Maritime patrol aircraft|Maritime Patrol]]
|-
|-
| [[EADS CASA C-295|CASA C-295]]
| [[EADS CASA C-295|CASA C-295]]
| [[Spain]]
| [[Spain]]
| [[Maritime patrol aircraft|Maritime patrol]]
| maritime patrol
|
|
| 4<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
| 4<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|
|-
|-
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|
|
|2<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/royal-air-force-of-oman-orders-two-airbus-a320-corporate-jets/|title= Royal Air Force of Oman orders two Airbus A320 Corporate Jets |publisher= airbus.com |date=|accessdate=12 October 2015}}</ref>
|2<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/royal-air-force-of-oman-orders-two-airbus-a320-corporate-jets/|title= Royal Air Force of Oman orders two Airbus A320 Corporate Jets |publisher= airbus.com |date=|accessdate=12 October 2015}}</ref>
⚫
|
|-
|-
| [[EADS CASA C-295|CASA C-295]]
| [[EADS CASA C-295|CASA C-295]]
| [[Spain]]
| Spain
| transport
| [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|
|
| 4<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
| 4<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|
|-
|-
| [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules]]
| [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules]]
| [[United States]]
| United States
| Transport
| transport
|[[Lockheed C-130 Hercules#Variants|C-130H]]
|[[Lockheed C-130 Hercules#Variants|C-130H]]
| 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
| 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|
|-
|-
| [[Lockheed C-130J|C-130J Super Hercules]]
| [[Lockheed C-130J|C-130J Super Hercules]]
| [[United States]]
| United States
| [[Airlift|tactical airlift]]
| [[Airlift#Tactical airlift|Tactical airlifter]]
|
|
| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|one aircraft is a [[Lockheed C-130J#Variants|C-130J-30]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/oman-gets-ready-to-induct-c-130j.html |title= Oman gets ready to induct C-130J |publisher= arabianaerospace.aero |date=|accessdate=12 October 2015}}</ref>
|One aircraft is a [[Lockheed C-130J#Variants|C-130J-30]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/oman-gets-ready-to-induct-c-130j.html |title= Oman gets ready to induct C-130J |publisher= arabianaerospace.aero |date=|accessdate=12 October 2015}}</ref>
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Helicopters]]
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Helicopter]]s
|-
|-
|[[Westland Lynx]]
|[[Westland Lynx]]
| [[United Kingdom]]
| United Kingdom
|[[Anti-surface warfare|ASW]]
|[[Anti-surface warfare|ASW]]
⚫
|
|[[Westland Lynx#Export variants|Super Lynx 120]]
|13<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|13<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|
|-
|-
|[[NHIndustries NH90]]
|[[NHIndustries NH90]]
|Europe
|[[France]]
|[[Utility helicopter|Utility]] / Transport
|utility / transport
|
|
|18<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|18<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|
|-
|-
| [[Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma|Eurocopter EC225]]
| [[Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma|Eurocopter EC225]]
| [[France]]
| France
| [[Air transports of heads of state and government|VIP transport]]
| VIP transport
|
|
| 6<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/1499/ |title= Oman Royal Flight |publisher=.helis.com |date=|accessdate=2 October 2019}}</ref>
| 6<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/1499/ |title= Oman Royal Flight |publisher=.helis.com |date=|accessdate=2 October 2019}}</ref>
|flown for the Oman Royal Flight
|Flown for the Oman Royal Flight
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Trainer (aircraft)|Trainer Aircraft]]
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Trainer aircraft]]
|-
|-
|[[Bell 206]]
|[[Bell 206]]
| [[United States]]
| United States
|[[Helicopter|rotorcraft]] trainer
|[[Helicopter|Rotorcraft]] trainer
|
|
|4<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|4<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Bell 429 GlobalRanger|Bell 429]]
|[[Bell 429 GlobalRanger|Bell 429]]
|[[United States]]
|United States
| rotorcraft trainer
| Rotorcraft trainer
|
|
|5<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|5<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Pilatus PC-9]]
|[[Pilatus PC-9]]
|[[Switzerland]]
|[[Switzerland]]
|[[Trainer aircraft|Trainer]]
|trainer
|
|
|12<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|12<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|
|-
|-
|[[PAC Super Mushshak]]
|[[PAC Super Mushshak]]
|[[Pakistan]]
|[[Pakistan]]
|Trainer
|trainer
|
|
|7<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|7<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
|
|
|}
|}
Line 255: Line 251:
==Commanders==
==Commanders==
The first Omani to command the Air Force was Air Vice-Marshal Talib bin Meran bin Zaman Al-Raeesi who was appointed in June 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/an-enduring-relationship-a-history-of-frienship-between-the-royal-air-force-and-the-royal-air-force-of-oman/the-evolution-of-omans-royal-air-force.aspx|title=The Evolution of Oman's Royal Air Force|work=rafmuseum.org.uk|access-date=5 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006125759/http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/an-enduring-relationship-a-history-of-frienship-between-the-royal-air-force-and-the-royal-air-force-of-oman/the-evolution-of-omans-royal-air-force.aspx|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
The first Omani to command the Air Force was Air Vice-Marshal Talib bin Meran bin Zaman Al-Raeesi who was appointed in June 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/an-enduring-relationship-a-history-of-frienship-between-the-royal-air-force-and-the-royal-air-force-of-oman/the-evolution-of-omans-royal-air-force.aspx|title=The Evolution of Oman's Royal Air Force|work=rafmuseum.org.uk|access-date=5 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006125759/http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/an-enduring-relationship-a-history-of-frienship-between-the-royal-air-force-and-the-royal-air-force-of-oman/the-evolution-of-omans-royal-air-force.aspx|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Ranks==
===Commissioned officer ranks===
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Oman}}
⚫
|}

===Other ranks===
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Oman}}
⚫
|}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 02:07, 12 December 2024

"RAFO" redirects here. For a Romanian oil refinery, see RAFO Oneşti.

Royal Air Force of Oman
  • سلاح الجو السلطاني عمان
  • Silāḥ al-Jaww as-Sulṭāniy ‘Umān
Badge of the Royal Air Force of Oman
Founded1959; 65 years ago (1959)
Country Oman
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Part ofSultan of Oman's Armed Forces
Commanders
Commander-in-ChiefSultan Haitham bin Tariq
Commander of the Air ForceAir Vice-Marshal Khamis bin Hammad Al-Ghafri
Insignia
Fin flash
Flag
Aircraft flown
FighterF-16 Fighting Falcon, Eurofighter Typhoon, BAe Hawk 203
Helicopter(SuperLynx, NH90, Bell429/Bell206)
TrainerBAe Hawk 103, Pilatus PC-9, PAC Super MFI-17 Mushshak
TransportC-130 Hercules, Airbus A320, Dornier 228

The Royal Air Force of Oman (Arabic: سلاح الجو السلطاني عمان, romanized: Silāḥ al-Jaww as-Sulṭāniy ‘Umān or RAFO) is the air arm of the Armed Forces of Oman.

History

[edit]

Sultan of Oman's Air Force era

[edit]

The Sultan of Oman's Air Force (SOAF) was formed with British personnel and aircraft in March 1959. The first aircraft were two Scottish Aviation Pioneers transferred from the Royal Air Force. The first armed aircraft was the Percival Provost T52.[1]

In 1968 the SOAF received the first of 24 BAC Strikemaster jet trainer and light strike aircraft for operation against insurgents in the Dhofar region. In 1974 the SOAF was expanded with orders for the Britten Norman Defender, BAC One-Eleven, BAC VC10 and 32 Hawker Hunter ground attack aircraft. In 1977 Jaguar International joined the SOAF, followed in the 1980s by the BAE Hawk.[1]

Royal Air Force of Oman era

[edit]
A Royal Air Force of Oman Jaguar intercepting an Il-38 in 1987

In 1990 the SOAF was renamed the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO).[1] In 1993 and 1994 the RAFO replaced its Hawker Hunters with four BAE Hawk Mk 103 fighter-trainers and 12 single-seat Hawk Mk 203s, equipped with Westinghouse APG-66H radar, as light ground attack aircraft/interceptors. In September 1997, after the evaluation of new combat aircraft, the RAFO decided to upgrade and extend the service lives of its remaining 17 SEPECAT Jaguar ground attack aircraft until the second decade of the 21st century. A contract was placed with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence to upgrade the avionics of the Jaguar aircraft for $40 million. In 2005, deliveries of Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 50 aircraft began, equipped with improved GPS/INS. The aircraft can carry a further batch of advanced missiles; the AGM-88 HARM missile, JDAM, JSOW and WCMD.

On 3 August 2010, the USA Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified the Congress of a possible sale of 18 F-16 Block 50/52 to Oman in a contract worth US$3.5 Billion. In addition to the new fighters, the contract included upgrading existing 12 F-16 C/D in the RAFO inventory.[2] On 14 December 2011, it was announced that Oman had agreed to buy an additional 12 F-16C/D Block 50s to join the 12 F-16C/Ds already in service.[3]

Oman was considering the purchase of either the Eurofighter Typhoon or the JAS 39 Gripen,[4] but on 21 December 2012 a £2.5 billion deal was signed in Muscat to supply RAFO with 12 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets and eight BAE Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft. The deliveries were completed in 2018.[5]

Bases

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Royal Air Force of Oman BAC 1-11 Model 485GD at RIAT 2008, UK
Installation Unit with aircraft type Notes
RAFO Adam No. 8 Squadron with Eurofighter Typhoon
RAFO Khasab No. 14 Squadron (det) with NH90-TTH
RAFO Musannah No. 14 Squadron (det) with NH90-TTH
No. 15 Squadron with NH90-TTH & Super Lynx Mk.120
RAFO Masirah No. 1 Squadron with Super Mushshak & PC-9(M)
No. 6 Squadron with Hawk 103, Hawk 103A & Hawk 203
No. 15 Squadron (det) with Super Lynx Mk.120
RAFO Muscat No. 2 Squadron with SC7-3M-4022 Seavan Air base co-located within Muscat International Airport. Shifted to Mussanah.
No. 4 Squadron with A320-214CJ
No. 14 Squadron with NH90-TTH & SA330J
No. 16 Squadron with C-130H & C-130J
RAFO Salalah No. 3 Squadron with NH90-TTH, Bell 206B3, Bell 429 & Super Lynx Mk.120
No. 5 Squadron with C295M
RAFO Thumrait No. 18 Squadron with F-16C-50-CF & F-16D-50-CF
No. 20 Squadron with F-16C-50-CF & F-16D-50-CF

Aircraft

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Current inventory

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A Hawk Mk 103 advanced trainer
A C-130H Hercules on take off
A Eurocopter EC225LP Super Puma
Bell 429 during Medevac
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat aircraft
Eurofighter Typhoon Europe Multirole 12[6]
BAE Hawk 200 United Kingdom Light multirole 203, 103’s 21[6] 11 103s provide LIFT
F-16 Fighting Falcon United States Multirole F-16C/D 23[6] 6 F-16Ds provide conversion training
Maritime patrol
CASA C-295 Spain Maritime patrol 4[6]
Transport
Airbus A320 France VIP transport 2[7]
CASA C-295 Spain Transport 4[6]
C-130 Hercules United States Transport C-130H 3[6]
C-130J Super Hercules United States Tactical airlifter 2[6] One aircraft is a C-130J-30[8]
Helicopters
Westland Lynx United Kingdom ASW 13[6]
NHIndustries NH90 Europe Utility / Transport 18[6]
Eurocopter EC225 France VIP transport 6[9] Flown for the Oman Royal Flight
Trainer aircraft
Bell 206 United States Rotorcraft trainer 4[6]
Bell 429 United States Rotorcraft trainer 5[6]
Pilatus PC-9 Switzerland Trainer 12[6]
PAC Super Mushshak Pakistan Trainer 7[6]

Retired

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Previous aircraft flown by the Air Force included the SEPECAT Jaguar S/B, Hawker Hunter, BAC Strikemaster, Douglas DC-8, Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, Skyvan 3M, BAe BAC-1-11, Scheibe Super-Falke, and the Bell 214B helicopter[10][11]

Commanders

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The first Omani to command the Air Force was Air Vice-Marshal Talib bin Meran bin Zaman Al-Raeesi who was appointed in June 1990.[12]

Ranks

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Commissioned officer ranks

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The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
 Royal Air Force of Oman[13]
مشیر
Mushir 		فريق أول‎‎
Fariq 'awal 		فريق
Fariq 		لواء
Liwa 		عميد
Amid 		عقيد
Aqid 		مقدم
Muqaddam 		رائد
Ra'id 		نقيب
Naqib 		ملازم أول
Mulazim awwal 		ملازم
Mulazim

Other ranks

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The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Royal Air Force of Oman[13]
 No insignia
وکیل کتیبة
Wakil katiba 		وکیل
Wakil 		رقیب اول
Raqib 'awal 		رقیب
Raqib 		عریف
Earif 		نائب عریف
Nayib earif 		جندي
Jundiun‎‎

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Royal Air Force of Oman". Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  2. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ Hoyle, Craig. "Omani F-16 deal means continued wait for Eurofighter." Archived 9 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine Flight International via flightglobal.com, 14 December 2011. Retrieved: 18 December 2011.
  4. ^ Royal Air Force of Oman, JAS 39 Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon Archived 6 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Tactical Report (2010-06-03). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
  5. ^ BBC News - BAE Systems wins £2.5bn Oman Hawk and Typhoon contract Archived 18 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Bbc.co.uk (2012-12-21). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Hoyle, Craig (2024). "World Air Forces 2025". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Royal Air Force of Oman orders two Airbus A320 Corporate Jets". airbus.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Oman gets ready to induct C-130J". arabianaerospace.aero. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  9. ^ "Oman Royal Flight". .helis.com. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  10. ^ "Aeroflight » Oman. Air Force". aeroflight.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  11. ^ "World Air Forces 1987 pg. 76" (PDF). flightglobal.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  12. ^ "The Evolution of Oman's Royal Air Force". rafmuseum.org.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  13. ^ a b "The Military Ranks and Badges". mod.gov.om. Ministry of defence. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
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