Oman sets up military academy

Oman announced its first military academy to train engineers and other technical experts adjacent the Defense Ministry's al-Murtafaa camp. "The academy will meet the needs of the Sultans Armed Forces in terms of specialized national cadres in the engineering and technical fields," a Defense Ministry spokesman said. The academy will offer classes in aviation, engineering, weapons and vehicle systems, communications, radar and computer programs as well as marine and civil engineering, the Khaleej Times said. "The setting up of the college is part of the development and modernization witnessed by the Sultan Armed Forces," the spokesman said. The government also concluded a deal to buy a number of aircraft for the Royal Air Force of Oman, the Khaleej Times said.