Military games cement British-Omani relationship

The UK has lauded its relationship with Oman, as the two countries begin the region’s biggest military training exercise in more than a decade.

Royal Navy ships, Royal Air Force planes and British Army troops are descending on the Omani desert in preparation for Operation Saif Sareea 3, the largest exercise of its type in the region for 17 years, and Britain’s largest for more than 15 years.

The last iteration of the exercise took place in 2001, and featured 11,000 Omani troops.

Speaking on his arrival in Oman, UK Minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt described Oman as a “lynchpin” of the region, noting the country’s expertise on “Yemen, Syria and wider Gulf issues”, and that it would be an opportunity to discuss those issues.

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Oman has served as something of an intermediary between warring sides during Yemen’s civil war, with officials from the Arab-Coaltion, the government of Abdrabu Mansur Hadi and the Houthi often passing through Muscat and Salalah.

Mr Burt’s trip will also see him take in several other areas between the Gulf state and Britain, including a joint venture between the English Premier League and Oman Football Association in conjunction with Premier League team Bournemouth FC which will see British football coaches training Omani coaches.

Mr Burt also announced a Joint Working Group, which was set to take place on Sunday with a view to strengthening investment, trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Also visiting Oman this week was Britain’s Minister for the Armed Forces, Mark Lancaster.

Relations between the two countries run deep since Oman's independence in 1970. The Omani military is the only importer of the Challenger 2 tank – Britain main battle tank.

Former UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was the last senior British figure to visit Oman, in December, when he attempted to press for release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian teacher detained in Iran.

if you go

The flights

Flydubai flies to Podgorica or nearby Tivat via Sarajevo from Dh2,155 return including taxes. Turkish Airlines flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Podgorica via Istanbul; alternatively, fly with Flydubai from Dubai to Belgrade and take a short flight with Montenegro Air to Podgorica. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Podgorica via Belgrade. Flights cost from about Dh3,000 return including taxes. There are buses from Podgorica to Plav.

The tour

While you can apply for a permit for the route yourself, it’s best to travel with an agency that will arrange it for you. These include Zbulo in Albania (www.zbulo.org) or Zalaz in Montenegro (www.zalaz.me).

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm

Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh130,000

On sale: now

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Water waste

In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.

Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.

A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.

The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.