View source for UK Joint Logistics Support Base

{{Short description|British military base in central-eastern Oman}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}{{Use British English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox military installation
|name                  = United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base
|ensign                = 
|ensign_size           =
|native_name           = 
|partof                = [[Duqm Port|Al Duqm Port and Drydock]]
|location              = [[Duqm]], [[Al Wusta Governorate (Oman)|Al Wusta governorate]]
|country               = [[Oman]]
|image                 = File:British Army Exercise Saif Sareea 3 Duqm.jpg
|image_size            = 310
|alt                   = 
|caption               = A British armoured vehicle being transported from UKJLSB by an [[Oshkosh M1070#Oshkosh M1070F (British Army)|Oshkosh 1070F]] to [[Exercise Saif Sareea 3]].
|image2                = <!--secondary image, major command emblems for airfields-->
|image2_size           = 
|alt2                  = 
|caption2              = 
|type                  = Military logistics support base
|coordinates           = {{Coord|19|40|07|N|57|42|22|E|region:OM-WU_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title|name=United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base}}
|gridref               = 
|image_map             = 
|image_mapsize         = 
|image_map_alt         = 
|image_map_caption     = 
|pushpin_map           = Oman
|pushpin_mapsize       = 
|pushpin_map_alt       = 
|pushpin_map_caption   = 
|pushpin_relief        = 
|pushpin_image         = 
|pushpin_label         = 
|pushpin_label_position= 
|pushpin_mark          = 
|pushpin_marksize      = 
|ownership             = {{Flag|United Kingdom}}, [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]
|operator              = {{Armed forces|United Kingdom}}, {{Flagicon|United Kingdom|naval}} [[Royal Navy]]
|controlledby          = [[Strategic Command (United Kingdom)|Strategic Command]]
|open_to_public        = <!--for out of use sites/sites with museums etc-->
|site_other_label      = <!--for renaming 'Other facilities' in infobox-->
|site_other            = <!--for other sorts of facilities; radar types etc-->  
|site_area             = <!--area of site m2, km2, square mile etc-->
|built                 = {{Start date and age|2017}}
|used                  = {{End date|2018–present}}
|builder               = [[Babcock International]]
|materials             = 
|height                = <!--height of tallest part, not above sea level-->
|length                = <!--for border fences or other DMZs-->
|fate                  = <!--changed from demolished parameter-->
|condition             = operational
|battles               = 
|events                = 
|current_commander     = <!--current commander-->
|past_commanders       = <!--past notable commander(s)-->
|garrison              = <!--such as the 25th Bombardment Group-->
|occupants             = <!--squadrons only-->
|designations          = 
|website               = 
|footnotes             = <!--catchall in case it's needed to preserve something in infobox that doesn't work in new code-->
}}
[[File:HMS Queen Elizabeth Duqm Port Oman.jpg|thumb|300px|{{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08|6}} arriving at Duqm Port, Oman in November 2021.|alt=]]
The '''United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base''' ('''UKJLSB''') is a [[military base]] located within the [[Duqm Port|Al Duqm Port and Drydock]] of [[Duqm]] in the [[Al Wusta Governorate (Oman)|Al Wusta governorate]] of [[Oman]].  As a [[Overseas military bases of the United Kingdom|British overseas military base]], it is used to facilitate the deployment of the [[British Armed Forces]] in the [[Persian Gulf]] and [[Indian Ocean]], along with the wider British maritime operations in the region.<ref name=GOV.UK-30-03-2016/>

==History==
In March [[2016 in the United Kingdom|2016]], the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British government]] secured a [[joint venture]] between the [[United Kingdom|British]]-based [[Babcock International]] and the Omani-based [[Oman Drydock Company]] to develop the [[Al Duqm Port & Drydock]] into a strategic [[port]] capable of supporting [[Naval base|naval operations]].<ref name=GOV.UK-30-03-2016>{{Cite news|title=Multi-million pound joint venture announced between Britain and Oman|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/multi-million-pound-joint-venture-announced-between-britain-and-oman|website=[[gov.uk|GOV.UK]]|publisher=[[Government of the United Kingdom|HM Government]]|date=30 March 2016|access-date=29 January 2023}}</ref>  In late August 2017, following a signed a [[Memorandum of understanding|Memorandum of Understanding and Services Agreement]] by [[Michael Fallon|Sir Michael Fallon]], the then [[Secretary of State for Defence|British Defence Secretary]], an agreement was subsequently announced to construct logistical support infrastructure especially for the [[British Armed Forces]], named the United Kingdom Joint Logistics Support Base (UKJLSB).<ref name=announcement>{{Cite news|title=Defence Secretary strengthens ties between UK and Oman|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-secretary-strengthens-ties-between-uk-and-oman|website=[[gov.uk|GOV.UK]]|publisher=[[Government of the United Kingdom|HM Government]]|date=28 August 2017|access-date=29 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=UKDefenceJournal>{{Cite web|last=Tossini|first=J. Vitor|date=20 February 2018|url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/the-uk-in-oman-a-new-support-facility-for-the-british-armed-forces/|title=The UK in Oman – a new support facility for the British Armed Forces|website=UKDefenceJournal.org.uk|publisher=UK Defence Journal|access-date=31 January 2023}}</ref>  The location was chosen by the United Kingdom (UK) due to its strategic position, which is east of the [[Suez Canal]] but outside the Persian Gulf.<ref name=announcement/>  It is part of the [[Foreign policy of the United Kingdom|UK's wider foreign policy]] strategy to re-engage globally after [[Brexit]], in particular within the [[Middle East]] and [[Asia-Pacific]].<ref name=FRStrategie.org>{{Cite web|last=Vagneur-Jones|first=Antoine|date=19 July 2017|title=Global Britain in the Gulf: Brexit and relations with the GCC|url=https://frstrategie.org/en/publications/notes/global-britain-gulf-brexit-relations-gcc-2017|website=FRStrategie.org|publisher=Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique|access-date=29 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=PolicyExchange>{{Cite report|last=Patalano|first=Dr Alessio|date=March 2019|title=Days of future past? – British strategy and the shaping of Indo-Pacific security|url=https://policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Days-of-Future-Past.pdf|website=PolicyExchange.org.uk|others=Foreword by Sir Michael Fallon MP|location=[[Westminster]], London, UK|publisher=[[Policy Exchange]]|isbn=978-1-910812-67-9|access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kuwait's role in London's return east of Suez|url=https://gulfif.org/kuwaits-role-in-londons-return-east-of-suez-commentary/|website=GulfIF.org|publisher=Gulf International Forum|date=27 February 2018|access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>  Other British military bases within the region include [[HMS Jufair|HMS ''Jufair'']]<ref name=FRStrategie.org/> and [[RAF Al Udeid]], which are located in [[Bahrain]] and [[Qatar]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forces.net/news/inside-al-udeid-raf-commander-leading-uk-air-war-against-islamic-state|title=Inside Al Udeid: RAF commander leading UK air war against Islamic State|publisher=Forces.net|date=21 September 2017}}</ref>  Prior to construction, the [[Royal Navy]] (RN) helped [[Hydrographic survey|survey]] the approaches to the [[harbour]].<ref name="dockyard"/>

Following construction by Babcock International, the UKJLSB was officially opened in October [[2018 in the United Kingdom|2018]], and was used during [[Exercise Saif Sareea 3]] (Swift Sword 3), the largest British [[military exercise]] in the region for over 15 years.<ref name="opening">{{Cite news|title=Defence Minister reaffirms UK commitment to the Gulf|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-minister-reaffirms-uk-commitment-to-the-gulf--2|website=[[gov.uk|GOV.UK]]|publisher=[[Government of the United Kingdom|HM Government]]|date=5 October 2018|access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>  The base is large enough to accommodate the [[Royal Navy Submarine Service|Royal Navy's]] [[nuclear submarine]]s and [[Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier]]s,<ref name=GOV.UK-30-03-2016/><ref name=announcement/><ref name=UKDefenceJournal/> which will utilise the facilities operationally from [[2021 in the United Kingdom|2021]].<ref name="opening"/>  [[Dry dock]] facilities large enough to accommodate the aircraft carriers are also available for use.<ref name="expansion"/>  As a joint base, it is controlled by [[Strategic Command (United Kingdom)|Strategic Command]] (previously Joint Forces Command), and is currently leased for 37 years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/831728/MOD_Annual_Report_and_Accounts_2018-19_WEB__ERRATUM_CORRECTED_.pdf|website=[[gov.uk|GOV.UK]]|publisher=[[Government of the United Kingdom|HM Government]]|access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="lease">{{Cite news|title=UK to triple its Naval base in Oman's Duqm Port|url=https://www.defaiya.com/news/Regional%20News/Oman/2020/09/16/uk-to-triple-its-naval-base-in-oman-s-duqm-port|website=Defaiya.com|publisher=Al Defaiya|date=16 September 2020|access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

During a trip to the Middle East in September [[2020 in the United Kingdom|2020]], British [[Secretary of State for Defence]], [[Ben Wallace (politician)|Ben Wallace]], announced that the UKJLSB would be tripled in size, following a £23.8 million investment to better facilitate [[British Army]] training.<ref name="expansion">{{Cite news|title=Defence Secretary announces investment in strategic Omani port|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-secretary-announces-investment-in-strategic-omani-port|website=[[gov.uk|GOV.UK]]|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] / [[Government of the United Kingdom|HM Government]]|date=12 September 2020|access-date=31 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=UK to expand base in Oman|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uk-to-expand-base-in-oman|publisher=Janes|date=14 September 2020|access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="lease"/>  Another facility, a joint training area, was also established in the nearby [[Ras Madrakah]] training area, named the [[Omani-British Joint Training Area]], in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|title=UK and Oman sign historic Joint Defence Agreement|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-oman-sign-historic-joint-defence-agreement|website=[[gov.uk|GOV.UK]]|publisher=[[Government of the United Kingdom|HM Government]]|date=21 February 2019|access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

In January 2021, the [[Type 23 frigate]] {{HMS|Montrose|F236|6}} became the first Royal Navy ship to be overhauled at the facility.<ref name="dockyard">{{Cite news|title=Montrose back on patrol after overhaul in Oman|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2021/january/12/20210112-duqm-dock|website=RoyalNavy.MoD.uk|publisher=[[Royal Navy]]|date=12 January 2021|access-date=8 August 2021}}</ref>  In November 2021, the base hosted {{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08|6}} and her [[UK Carrier Strike Group 21|carrier strike group]] for the first time, prior to their participation in joint military training with Omani forces.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth arrives at Duqm to participate in military exercise|url=https://timesofoman.com/article/108955-aircraft-carrier-queen-elizabeth-arrives-at-duqm-to-participate-in-military-exercise|website=TimesOfOman.com|publisher=[[Times of Oman]], Muscat Media Group|date=4 November 2021|access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref><ref name="GSN1">{{Cite news|title=Oman: UK aircraft carrier joins exercises using logistics base in Duqm|url=https://www.gsn-online.com/article/oman-uk-aircraft-carrier-joins-exercises-using-logistics-base-duqm|website=GSN-Online.com|publisher=Gulf States Newsletter|date=11 November 2021|access-date=25 November 2021}}</ref> From 2023, the base was to have been the principal facility for vessels of the British task group, [[Littoral Response Group#Littoral Response Group (South)|Littoral Response Group (South)]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63-ADo-SeOw |title= Royal Navy task force gears up for landmark deployment |publisher=Forces News |last=Williams |first=Briohny |access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Omani-British Joint Training Area]]
*[[British foreign policy in the Middle East]]
*[[East of Suez]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{His Majesty's Naval Service}} 
{{Royal Navy shore establishments}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|United Kingdom|Oman}}

[[Category:British Armed Forces]]
[[Category:Royal Navy bases outside the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Military installations of the United Kingdom in other countries]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 2018]]
[[Category:2018 establishments in Oman]]