Even more Hellfire II missiles for the LAF are expected in 2015

An unspecified number of Hellfire missiles are expected in the coming period. On December 17, 2014, The US DoD announced a modification for an existing contract with Hellfire Systems LLC for additional number of missiles to a number of countries, amongst Lebanon.

Hellfire Systems LLC, Orlando, Florida, was awarded a $150,002,546 modification (P00133) to Foreign Military Sales contract W31P4Q-11-C-0242 (Australia, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Indonesia, Egypt, Lebanon) to manufacture and deliver 2,109 Hellfire II missile models, air-to-ground missiles models AGM-114R, AGM-114R-3, AGM-114P4-A, training guided missile TGM M36E7, and air-training-missile ATM-114Q-6. (ref)

It is not clear which models will be delivered though; yet for sure it won't be the AGM-114P4-A as the Lebanese Air Force doesn't operate platforms which this model is designed for.

This is another important step in the face of the increasing threats from ISIL and JAN, and it comes in time of increasing talks about supplying the LAF with OH-58D Kiowa and additional Cessna AC-208B.

US Administration allocates $150 Million as FY 2015 FMF for Lebanon to counter ISIL

The US administration has requested a FY 2015 budget FY 2015 adjustment to counter ISIL. The budget includes $150 million for Lebanon as urgent and immediate security assistance provided through FMF (Ref).

The justification clarifies that these funds will be used to:

• Support basic military requirements including by providing individual protective
  gear; missiles; artillery, ammunition; vehicles; fixed and rotary wing aircraft;
  intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support; and training with a focus
  on special forces and border units.
• Improve border security, enable more effective counterterrorism operations, and
  provide necessary equipment to protect Lebanon’s national territory against the
  growing threat of ISIL and spillover of violence and instability in Syria .

Let's hope the ISR being referred to include effective UAVs.

OTO Melara 76mm Super Rapid is expected to equip the Lebanese FS 56

Security and Defense Arabia has reported that the expected FS 56 will most likely be equipped with the OTO Melara 76mm Super Rapid as a main gun. Marina Magnani, Communication & Image Manager at Oto Melara, has detailed that the "Lebanese Navy is seriously thinking to mount this system on the ship it will receive from the French company CMN" (ref).

Fore more details on the OTO Melara 76mm Super Rapid, read here.

US supports the 2nd Border Regiment with seismic sensors & radars

According to an unclassified written statement by Major General Michael Plehn to the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on February 25, 2014 (ref), the US Congress approved a $9.4M as funding for Section 1206 FY 2014 in order to provide the LAF's 2nd Border Regiment with "additional surveillance equipment to guard its portion of the border - including radars, seismic sensors, and cameras" (ref).

It is not clear if the deliveries and installations took place during 2014 or yet.

While the exact model of the equipment is not clear, we hope that the radars are ground surveillance radars capable of detecting and locating personnel from far as this will come very handy to avoid possible infiltration by terrorists.

We also hope that the seismic sensors are the type that is buried underground to provide early detection of intrusions. Seismic sensors work by detecting vibrations "by converting ground motion into a measurable electronic signal" (Ref).

Lebanon to Acquire SIMBAD RC from MBDA

According to Security & Defense Arabia (Issue: 59) Lebanon will acquire SIMBAD RC under the DONAS agreement (Ref) to be installed on the expected FS 56 crafts.

Technical annex of the DONAS agreement has been finalized

Following the preliminary agreement signed on November 5, 2014. The Lebanese and French sides have concluded a 10,000 papers detailed technical annex that includes the final list of arms, according to the Lebanese daily Assafir (Ref). This technical annex will be signed by the LAF Chief, General Qahwaji, and the head of ODAS, in the coming days in Beirut, which will then require a review and signature by Saudi Arabia.

We will not comment on the types of arms mentioned in the several articles in different Lebanese newspapers until things are more confirmed.

Possibly more Engagement Skills Trainer (EST) 2000 for the LAF

Cubic Simulation Systems, Inc. received a contact on Feb 2013 for "EST" systems for Lebanon with expected completion by Dec, 2014. The contract is worth 4.58 million USD (Ref).

The amount of the new contract is higher than the first contract (worth 3.67 million USD) for 5 EST 2000 systems already signed in 2009 and delivered in 2010.

The available details of the contract are not decisive to confirm that there are new simulators and how many; hence why the title of this article says "possibly", but if true, it is yet another step forward for the LAF and it means that the LAF has successfully used the existing 5 systems and realized effective & recognizable training.

China donates 144 LR2 .50cal snipers & 20 jamming systems to LAF

China joins the recent donators to the LAF with an interesting aid. The Official Gazette #51-2014 reported that the Chinese Government donated:

1. 144 ea LR2 12.7mm (.50 Cal) snipers incl. scopes
2. 30 M99 night vision scopes 
3. 150k .50 cal rounds
4. 20 ALBPG portable jamming system

The LR2 is a long-range 12.7mm sniper, which can be considered an important addition to the LAF arsenal. The LAF already operates an unspecified number of Barret M107 .50 Cal snipers since 2007, but this addition would allow the LAF to deploy such snipers on a wider scale outside the SOF units.

The ALBPG is another very important addition. The device is a jamming system for a wide range of wireless channels (Ref). Given its portability, it would be very effective when protecting patrols in high risk areas or important convoys from EOD.

LR2 12.7 mm long range sniper

Contractor logistics support continues for the RQ-11 Raven

By September 2014, the contractor logistics support (CLS) agreement with AeroVironment for the LAF RQ-11B Raven has been renewed again by the US Dept. of Army at a cost of around 600,000 USD (ref).

The RQ-11B remain the only UAVs available with the LAF, even though the focus seems more on the Cessna AC-208 and the expected fleets of aircraft, this agreement is still important to ensure full readiness.

Harris Radios with LAF by September 2014

 Harris Radios had won a contract supply Lebanon with a number of communication equipment back in 2013 with completion by September 2014 (ref).

The contract, worth  7.7 million USD, includes 300 radio kits for dismounted patrol, 15 radio kits for vehicular patrol, 15 HF vehicular systems, 8 50Watts multiband basestation Systems, 8 50Watts basestation systems, 8 operator stations, along to their installation and training (ref).

HIDRAH V3 a must have for Lebanese Army

Throughout the numerous heroic clashes and battles the LAF had against terrorists during its never-ending war against terrorism, brave Lebanese soldiers and officers lost their lives to ambushes in most of these battles; most recent of which in the battle in Akkar, Oct 2014. Regardless whether this is inevitable or can be managed through different vehicles, tactics, or intelligence capabilities, attention should be given to provide men on the ground an invaluable intelligence power right in their hands.

The handheld integrated directional receiver and homing (HIDRAH) system is a man-transportable, tactical, cordless, radio intercept and signal line-of-bearing (LOB) DF system. The HIDRAH offers threat indications and warnings (I&W) capability during foot or mobile patrols, and homing support for tactical recovery operations (Ref). With its unique design, it can be easily mounted on a rifle or used as stand alone device (handheld, vehicles, boats, etc...).

This compact highly portable system combines homing, direction finding, multiple cuts, and range to target features all on single device. It can however be further extended with advanced graphical capabilities through a computer software.

Lebanese Army patrols, especially SOF patrolling remote locations should have systems such as the HIDRAH V3 (other systems exist) which would allow them to identify sources of nearby radio transmissions of a possible ambush by range and direction. This would save on ambushes and maximize ability to take initiative, immediate preemptive measures, and quick reaction.

LAF acquisition, and independent donors should evaluate the above recommendation, and act upon it if LAF concludes that it is indeed a must have. 

Germany donated an ECDIS simulator to Lebanese Navy back in 2011

Germany donated a full Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) simulator worth 170.300 Euros to Lebanese Navy back in 2011 (ref). The simulator is part of the Jounieh Naval School.

According to the German Embassy press release the simulator is capable of training soldiers on basic and advanced topics. It was aimed to also teach the staff of the coastal radar stations. The simulator allows 10 soldiers to train at the same time.

Lebanese Air Force OH-58 Kiowa are expected on Independence Day

A reliable independent researcher about Lebanese Air Force has mentioned that the OH-58 Kiowa will most likely arrive on independence day; November 22, 2014.

P.S. Every Lebanese patriotic and LAF fan is counting the hours; LAF Digest too.

36 M1151A1 w/B1 are planned for the LAF

AM General LLC received a contract from TACOM during July 2014 for 23 M1151A1 w/B1 HMMWVs for Kenya, with option quantity of 36 M1151A1 w/B1 for Lebanon (ref). The available details do not clarify the expected completion date.

In comparison to M115A1, the M1151A1 w/B1 includes, perimeter armor, overhead armor, and rear ballistic bulkhead.

The 6 Huey II delivered in 2012 had hoists and cargo hooks

The 6 Huey II previously delivered to the LAF in December 2012 were received with 6 cargo hooks and 2 electrical hoists (ref).

LAF receives 50 Vertex VX-454 portable radios as a local aid

Tabbara General Company LLC donated 50 Vertex VX-454 portable radio along to their accessories and complementary systems during October 2014. Source: Lebanese Official Gazette issue 49, November, 2014.

The Vertex VX-454 is an industrial grade device built with military standards for ruggedness and meets the P57 ingress protection standard where the device can be submersed in water to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes without damaging it.

The device features 12-channel capacity, 2 groups, seven programmable keys, voice inversion encryption, whisper, CTCSS / DCS Encode and Decode, and more...

More TOW-2A for Lebanese Army by mid 2016

During September 2014, US DoD awarded Raytheon Company Missile Systems an $8,881,587 modification of contract W31P4Q-12-C-0265 for TOW-2A and TOW-2B missiles. The  final recipients of these additional missiles are Lebanon, U.S Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Saudi Arabia (Land Forces), and Thailand (ref).

Estimated contract completion date is July 31, 2016.
 
Lebanon had received 100 TOW-2A missiles back in 2010 (ref), hence why we expect the new missiles to be TOW-2A also. The exact number of missiles for each recipient is not clarified.

No Exocet on the Lebanese Navy FS 56

Some news reports are indicating that the expected Lebanese Navy FS 56 will not come armed with Exocet anti-ship missiles.

The ships are however equipped 76mm gun turret as main armament, and 2 Narwhal 20A remotely controlled cannons.

Possible French UAVs for Lebanese Air Force

Some news sources indicated the possibility of Lebanese Air Force to acquire SAGEM Sperwer UAV through the French-Saudi-Lebanese armament agreement (DONAS).

OH-58 Kiowa expected for Lebanese Air Force

An independent researcher about Lebanese Air Force confirmed that Lebanon is in final stages of discussions to transfer a number of OH-58 Kiowa helicopter. The expected number is 18, but the exact variant and armament of the whole fleet remains unconfirmed.

Saudi Arabia, France sign the 3 Billion USD arms deal for Lebanon

In the presence of Lebanese Army commander Gen. Jean Kahwagi, Saudi and France signed the 3 Billion USD arms deal for the Lebanese Army in Riyadh, today November 4, 2014.

We had previous covered this deal in multiple blogs, more details here.

NARWHAL 20A for Lebanese Navy

According to Navy Recognition, the Lebanese Navy has already received and installed NARWHAL 20A remote weapon stations (RWS with 20x102 ammunitions) on some of its patrol boats. Navy Recognition did not provide a specific number but earlier reports mentioned 4.

The acquisition has no relation to the Lebanon-French-Saudi armament deal, as the contacts were sealed in 2012.

The Lebanese Navy, as of today, operates small patrol boats, with the largest, Trablous (class AMP 145), being 42 meters. These guns will ensure precision fire day and night and in all weather conditions.


The most probable hulls to have received these guns are

1. Trablous - AMP 145
2. Al-Kalamoun - Avel Gwalarn Class
3. Tabarja - Class 905
4. Nakoura - Fassmer FFPB 20

NARWHAL 20A installed on Al-Kalamoun (Credit: Nexter)

Back in 2009, Lebanese Navy acquired six Nexter type 15A naval gun mounts (ref). These guns were seen on the Attack class patrol boats and the EDIC III landing crafts.

Expected armament of the Lebanese Navy FS 56

Janes has given more details about the expected armament of the expected 3 FS 56 vessels that the LAF ordered as part of the French 3Billion USD deal.

According to the article, the vessel configuration is expected to include "an Oto Melara 76 mm gun mounted forward, up to eight Exocet anti-ship missiles, and Mistral short-range air-defence missiles fired from two Simbad RC launchers aft". The vessel can also accommodate a 40 mm Bofor gun at the back, but according to Janes, this remains an option.

The article also details that the the vessel "could be equipped with an enclosed-mast system that reduces its radar cross section". 

Reliable French arms deal details emerge: advances in air defense and navy

According to Janes, the Lebanes-French arms deal funded by Saudi Arabia will include:

1. Vehicle-mounted Mistral air-defense system
2. 20mm anti-aircraft guns (Tarasque Type 53 T2?)
3. Surplus VBC-90
4. CAESAR 155mm self-propelled howitzers
5. Eurocopter AS-532 Cougar helicopters
6. Combattante FS56: Fast Attack Long Range Craft armed with the Simbad air-defence systems and 20 mm Narwhal guns

The VBC-90 seem to be a direct replacement for the aging Pangard AML-90 which the LAF still operates.
The other equipment can be considered a leap in the capabilities of the LAF especially in terms of air defense and navy capabilities.

Still no clear answer about the other air capabilities that the LAF is seeking such as combat helicopters.

LAF: Army expecting combat helicopters and reconnaissance airplanes

In a rare public statement, the LAF announced to its troops that the army is expecting combat helicopters, heavy artillery, missiles, reconnaissance airplanes and other weapons, and that the army has been continuously receiving aids from friend countries.

The announcement comes as part of an orientation bulletin addressed to the troops which comes in the light of few defect cases toward the terrorist groups ISIS and Nusra Front. 

Full bulletin is here.

UK intends to expand its ‘train and equip’ programme for the LAF's Border Regiments

During his visit to Lebanon, UK's Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton, asserted his country's intention to support the Border Regiments of the Lebanese Armed Forces with Land Rover Defenders, personal protective equipment, protected border observation posts, and radio equipment (ref).

More details are given by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr Tobias Ellwood, who explains that the aid consists of (ref):

• 800 sets of Personal Protective Equipment, including body armour, helmets, gloves, belts, first aid kits, camouflage clothing and protective glasses: £793,600
• 14 Land Rover Defenders and additional equipment to enable them to operate in difficult terrain: £408,244
• 5 Protected Border Observation Posts and 6 Mobile Observation Platforms, with observation aids and ballistic protection for fixed 3LBR positions: £1,395,000
• Radio equipment to allow the command elements of 3LBR to link back to LAF HQ in Beirut: £1,000,000

Previously, UK had delivered 12 Protected Border Observation Posts along a number of Land Reover Defenders, protective equipment and communication, to support the establishement of the 1st and second Border Regiments. The new expected equipment are intended for the newly established 3rd Border Regiment.

One of the Mobile Observation Platform (Source: thinkdefence.co.uk)

A two-edged sword: long deliveries VS immediate need

The LAF has been trying to expedite arms deals and deliveries due to the risk of  an eruption of another battle with ISIS and Nusra Front. Deals such as the 3 US Billion French-Saudi-Lebanese arming agreement and the Russian 500 US million have been struck by long delivery terms for some important equipment, which have either  led to opting for a (older) lesser capability alternative (already available in stock) or totally not including that type of equipment in the list (i.e. Tanks in the French deal).

To ensure acquiring decent equipment with money readily available in the hands (which is not always the case), the LAF can opt to acquire the more advanced, longer delivery terms, equipment, and as part of the same contract lease equipment available in stock until actual deliveries are made. This approach has been done by several countries and it would ensure that the "valuable" fund has been used for a good value.

Germany is blocking VAB Mark III deal for Lebanese Army

According to La Tribune, Germany is blocking a Lebanese-French deal for VAB Mark III (Ref). It appears that the vehicle has parts that are been manufactured in Germany.

Germany has already blocked a Lebanese-Belgian arms deal to provide Lebanon with 43 second hand Leopard 1A5 tanks (ref) which could have come very effective in the recent clashes against ISIS and Nusra front compared to the T-55 and M48.

If true, these actions will really show that Gemany isn't in fact worrying about the threat of ISIS and alike groups on Lebanon and isn't really actively supporting the Lebanese Army, who is being supported by multiple countries from different axises.

Lebanese Airforce to acquire 18 more Huey II Helicopters

The Lebanese Air Force will soon receive 18 more Huey II Helicopters as detailed in a FMS news release by Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The LAF had already received 6 Huey II Helicopters back in December 2012 (Ref) based on a different FMS.

Lebanon operates a fleet of 23 UH-1H (Huey I) and these recent acquisitions can mean that the LAF is trying to replace this aging fleet.

Lebanese Army receives 100 Hellfire missiles

The USA has expedited arms and ammunition shipments to the LAF in the wake of August 2014 Battle of Ersal with ISIS and Nusra Front (More Info).

By the end of that month, the USA had already delivered 480 AT-4 missiles, 1500 M16-A4, and 60 mortars (Ref). The USA promised to deliver more arms and ammunition in the following weeks without the need to issue press statements upon each delivery.

Among these following deliveries, the USA delivered 100 Hellfire missiles, as confirmed by Aram Nerguizian (Ref). Aram also detailed later that the shipment included the Thermobaric variant (AGM-114N) of the missile (Ref).

The LAF has successfully used the missile since the eruption of the battle using the Cessna AC-208B.