A Strong Barrier on the Border

A Strong Barrier on the Border
A Strong Barrier on the Border

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Friday, November 28, 2014

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).

Sunday, November 23, 2014

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. 






Saturday, November 22, 2014

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.

Friday, November 21, 2014

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.

Monday, November 17, 2014

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).

Sunday, November 16, 2014

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...

Saturday, November 15, 2014

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.

Monday, November 10, 2014

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).

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

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.