| United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base | |
|---|---|
| Part ofAl Duqm Port and Drydock | |
| Duqm,Al Wusta governorate in Oman | |
 A British armoured vehicle being transported from UKJLSB by anOshkosh 1070F toExercise Saif Sareea 3. | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Military logistics support base |
| Owner |  United Kingdom,Ministry of Defence |
| Operator |  British Armed Forces, Royal Navy |
| Controlled by | Strategic Command |
| Condition | Operational |
| Location | |
  United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base | |
| Coordinates | 19°40′07″N57°42′22″E / 19.66861°N 57.70611°E /19.66861; 57.70611 (United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base) |
| Site history | |
| Built | 2017; 9 years ago (2017) |
| Built by | Babcock International |
| In use | 2018–present |
TheUnited Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base (UKJLSB) is amilitary base located within theAl Duqm Port and Drydock ofDuqm in theAl Wusta governorate ofOman. As aBritish overseas military base, it is used to facilitate the deployment of theBritish Armed Forces in thePersian Gulf andIndian Ocean, along with the wider British maritime operations in the region.[1]
In March2016, theBritish government secured ajoint venture between theBritish-basedBabcock International and the Omani-basedOman Drydock Company to develop theAl Duqm Port & Drydock into a strategicport capable of supportingnaval operations.[1] In late August 2017, following a signed aMemorandum of Understanding and Services Agreement bySir Michael Fallon, the thenBritish Defence Secretary, an agreement was subsequently announced to construct logistical support infrastructure especially for theBritish Armed Forces, named the United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base (UKJLSB).[2][3] The location was chosen by the United Kingdom (UK) due to its strategic position, which is east of theSuez Canal but outside the Persian Gulf.[2] It is part of theUK's wider foreign policy strategy to re-engage globally afterBrexit, in particular within theMiddle East andAsia-Pacific.[4][5][6] Other British military bases within the region includeHMSJufair[4] andRAF Al Udeid, which are located inBahrain andQatar, respectively.[7] Prior to construction, theRoyal Navy (RN) helpedsurvey the approaches to theharbour.[8]
Following construction by Babcock International, the UKJLSB was officially opened in October2018, and was used duringExercise Saif Sareea 3 (Swift Sword 3), the largest Britishmilitary exercise in the region for over 15 years.[9] The base is large enough to accommodate theRoyal Navy'snuclear submarines andQueen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers,[1][2][3] which will utilise the facilities operationally from2021.[9]Dry dock facilities large enough to accommodate the aircraft carriers are also available for use.[10] As a joint base, it is controlled byStrategic Command (previously Joint Forces Command), and is currently leased for 37 years.[11][12]
During a trip to the Middle East in September2020, BritishSecretary of State for Defence,Ben Wallace, announced that the UKJLSB would be tripled in size, following a £23.8 million investment to better facilitateBritish Army training.[10][13][12] Another facility, a joint training area, was also established in the nearbyRas Madrakah training area, named theOmani-British Joint Training Area, in 2019.[14]
In January 2021, theType 23 frigateHMS Montrose became the first Royal Navy ship to be overhauled at the facility.[8] In November 2021, the base hostedHMS Queen Elizabeth and hercarrier strike group for the first time, prior to their participation in joint military training with Omani forces.[15][16] From 2023, the base was to have been the principal facility for vessels of the British task group,Littoral Response Group (South).[17]
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