Muscat – The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has floated an international tender for consultancy services to assess and prepare restoration designs for Bait Al Falaj Fort, the historic Muscat landmark that houses the Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum.

The consultancy will include technical inspections and tests to determine the structural and architectural condition of the fort and its associated buildings.

The chosen consultant will prepare technical reports, restoration and maintenance plans, detailed designs, specifications and tender documents for the proposed conservation work. The scope may include technical supervision during implementation.

Tender documents will remain available till August 26, while bids must be submitted by September 16.

The project marks a step towards a comprehensive restoration programme for Bait Al Falaj, with the initial phase focused on establishing the building’s condition and defining the technical interventions needed to preserve the complex.

Built in 1845 during the reign of Sayyid Said bin Sultan, Bait Al Falaj Fort was later restored and renovated during Oman’s modern renaissance before becoming home to the Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum.

The museum officially opened on December 11, 1988, and traces Oman’s military history from the pre-Islamic period to the modern era.

Its exhibits include traditional and modern weapons, historical documents, manuscripts, uniforms, photographs and military equipment. An outdoor display features vehicles, tanks, aircraft and naval equipment formerly used by the Sultan’s Armed Forces.

The museum also documents the development of Oman’s armed forces since 1970, making the fort both a military museum and an important part of the country’s architectural heritage.