December 29, 2016 

Muscat - A new ammunition factory is marking the beginning of Oman’s defence industry.

Government-owned Oman Munition Production Company (OMPC) has announced that full production will begin for several branches of Oman’s armed forces, including the army and police, in 2017.

The factory will be able to produce 94mn bullets per year for light weapons ranging from pistols to machine guns, officials said. These will be provided exclusively to the government and will not be sold in the market, officials said. Company representatives outlined opportunities for cooperation with SMEs on Tuesday in what they said was only their second public appearance.

“Our main goal is to contribute, even if partially, towards self-reliance in the defence industry,” he said.

The company was formed in 2011 from several defence pension funds.

Dr Ibrahim Balushi, CEO, said the company is seeking to advance to medium and possibly heavy ammunition in the future.

The factory makes three types of bullets: 5.56mm, 7.62mm and 9mm at its plant in Samail. Two of the three ammunition lines have been working on a trial phase since June 2016, six months ahead of schedule.

Balushi said he hopes to export the bullets in future. OMPC has a partnership with French arms firm Manurhin.

OMPC is only the third such company in the GCC – there are similar facilities in Saudi Arabia and UAE. Construction of the facility in the Lizgh area of Samail started in March 2015. The facility meets NATO specifications, according to Balushi.

It comprises three underground laboratories at a size of 600m. Reaching the level production required a large amount of expertise and specialised equipment, Balushi said. The bullets are produced using laser to measure speed and quality.

Of the 116 employees, only one is an expatriate and 45 per cent of the workers are from the surrounding Samail and Bidbid wilayats, officials said.

The staff underwent ammunition manufacturing training in Pakistan, Balushi said, adding the company plans to spend RO6mn on raw material annually and at least RO1.2mn on machines and maintenance work.

For SMEs, Balushi outlined opportunities in several production areas, from bullets to belts and ammo boxes, in addition to services such as machine maintenance and logistics.

© Muscat Daily 2016