The
Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) on Sunday organised a reception for Al
Shamikh, the first of the three Khareef class warships built by
BAE Systems under the sultanate's Project Khareef.
H E Sayyid Badr bin Saud al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence
Affairs, inaugurated the ceremony held at the Said bin Sultan Naval
Base, where he, along with naval commanders, greeted the vessel upon
its arrival to join the RNO fleet. |
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Speaking
to the media, H E Busaidi said, “Today we celebrate the arrival
of Al Shamikh into the waters of the sultanate, the first ship of Project
Khareef, which would contribute to the strengthening of military capabilities
and capacities of the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) which enjoys the Royal
care and attention of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Supreme
Commander of the Armed Forces.”
H E Busaidi also thanked RNO commanders, personnel and crew who were
on Al Shamikh during its maiden voyage from the UK where she was built.
Capt Qasim bin Mohammed al Balushi, Commander of Al Shamikh, expressed
his pride in leading the vessel into Oman's waters. He said that Al
Shamikh is the most modern of RNO ships.
Lt Gen Ahmed bin Harith al Nabhani, Chief of Staff of SAF, Undersecretary
in UK's Defence Ministry, civil and military officials and the British
Ambassador to Oman were present at the reception. |
