Lebanese Army receives M712 Copperhead and Hellfire Missiles

The US Embassy in Beirut announced that the Lebanese Army received a new shipment of arms containing 50 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and 560 artillery round, which among them, for the first time, laser-guided artillery projectiles.

These laser-guided projectiles can't be anything except the M712 Copperhead, a cannon-launched, fin-stabilized, terminally laser guided projectiles intended for high value targets. These projectiles are set to take the LAF's capability to the next level in this area in combination with the advancements in the other areas including air surveillance.
 
According to the LAF, these come as part of the "United States aid Program dedicated to the Lebanese Army and part of the urgent Saudi military grant". (Ref)

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

LAF to receive 50 additional M1151A1 w/IAP by May 2016

The Lebanese Army is set to receive 50 HMMWV by May 31, 2016 as announced by US DoD.
Contract W56HZV-15-C-0155 which is being modified is for M1151A1 w/IAP (M1151A1 w/B1).
The Integrated Armor Protection (IAP) package includes underbody armor, rocker armor, lower windscreen deflector armor and energy absorbing seats.

The LAF already operates a number of M1151A1 w/B1 and still expects to receive other quantities.

AM General LLC, South Bend, Indiana, was awarded an $11,351,579 modification (P00006) to foreign military sales contract W56HZV-15-C-0155 (Lebanon) for 50 high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles.  Work will be performed in Mishawaka, Indiana, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2016.  Fiscal 2015 other procurement funds in the amount of $11,351,579 were obligated at the time of the award.  Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.(Ref)

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Another major TOW 2A contract for the Lebanese Army

DSCA has officially announcement a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon for TOW 2A Missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $245 million.

The contact includes:

1. 1000 BGM-71E-4B-RF TOW 2A
2. 500 BGM-71-H-1-RF TOW Bunker Buster
3. 50 M220A2 TOW launchers
4. Training equipment (Probably simulators)
5.  Containers, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation 

It is worth nothing that these are wireless versions of the TOW missile.
The original full publication can be found here.


The Lebanese Army has been receiving an increasing number of TOW 2 missiles since the escalations on the Eastern borders with Syria. The most recent delivery was on June 1st, more info here.


This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

The first photo of Lebanese Army M109A2 in action emerges

The LAF published the first photo for a M109A2 Self-propelled Howitzer in action on its Twitter account.
The photo is taken in a very good way, and available in High Resolution; making it a very nice wallpaper:)

The LAF received earlier in 2015 twelve M109A2 from Jordan, read more here.


Click here for HiRes version.

M109A2 in Action

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Lebanese Army demonstrates TOW 2A and TOW 2B

The Lebanese Army conducted today a live demonstration of the recently delivered TOW 2A and TOW 2B.

(Hi-Res Photos; click to enlarge; you can get higher resolution by saving the photo)
Photo Credits: Associated Press

TOW 2A

TOW  2B

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Lebanon's A-29 Super Tucano deal officially announced

Lots of talks surfaced before about Lebanon's interest in A-29 Super Tucano close air support aircraft. Now, DSCA is officially announcing the deal which makes the subject confirmed and done. The announcement doesn't mention any expected deliveries start date but sheds the light in details on the package.

Six A-29 Super Tucano along to spares, Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS), and support & training form a package of $462 millions.

The Government of Lebanon has requested a possible sale of six (6) A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, eight (8) PT6A-68A Turboprop engines (6 installed and 2 spares), eight (8) ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispensing Systems, two thousand (2000) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems, eight (8) AN/AAR-60(V)2 Missile Launch Detection Systems, non-SAASM Embedded Global Positioning System/Initial Navigation System (EGIs), spare and repair parts, flight testing, maintenance support, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, ferry support, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $462 million.
http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/lebanon-29-super-tucano-aircraft

 That's a very positive news, and that means deliveries are no longer far away - at least to start in 2017.

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Lebanese Army receives additional 40 HMMWV armament carriers

The Lebanese Army announced today that it has received an additional 40 HMMWV (Ref) M1044/M1043 armament carriers w/supplemental armor. The published picture shows a M1044, hence why we cannot confirm that this is the only model received.

The LAF had previously received shipments that include M1043 and M1044. The difference between between the two models is that the M1044 has a winch.

M1044 being unloaded at Beirut Port. Credits: LAF

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Lebanese Army is expected to receive further 125 M1151A1B1

US Government issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) earlier in June 2015 to AM General for a FMS of more than 2,000 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs). The RFP has an option of 125 M1151A1B1 along to 2 years of spares for Lebanon (Ref).

Options are usually exercised at any time. Earlier contract in 2014 had an option of 36 M1151A1B1 for Lebanon of which 29 were later exercised.

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Procurement of Lebanon's Insitu ScanEagle UAVs is underway

We previously reported that Lebanon plans to acquire 4x Insitu ScanEagle UAVs. New details about the deal surfaced earlier in May through a FBO solicitation.
The details of the solicitation reveal that the actual UAVs have been acquired as a Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) product but require upgrade and modification. The whole system would eventually consist of:

1. ScanEagle UAS - analog Electro Optic (EO 900) and Medium Wave Infra-Red (MWIR 3.0)
2. Launch and recovery (LRE) equipment
3. Ground control stations
4. Video Exploitation Systems (IVES)

The contract as an estimated total value of  $9.8M and will be funded with Section 2282 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) fund.

Hope to see the system flying soon in the skies of Lebanon.

Source

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Patuxent River, MD intends to negotiate and award a sole source, Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Delivery Order under Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) N00019-12-G-0008 with Insitu Inc., 118 E. Columbia River Way, Bingen WA, for ScanEagle (SE) Air Vehicles (AV) hardware upgrades and modifications to previously procured ScanEagle Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) for FMS Lebanon (FMS Case# - TBD), as well as spares, site activation/survey, training, program management, Field Service Representatives (FSR'S), and associated data. The SE AV's shall conisist of analog Electro Optic (EO 900) and Medium Wave Infra-Red (MWIR 3.0) Scan Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The UAS hardware shall consist of the air vehicles, their components, launch and recovery (LRE) equipment, ground control stations and Video Exploitation Systems (IVES) required for operation of the system as designed.
...
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=13fd7c24e0fcbbd150ca6a950bef48f0&tab=core&_cview=0

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Lebanon set to receive 1000 AGM-114 Hellfire II Missiles

A major AGM-114 Hellfire II Missiles delivery is in the process for Lebanon. DSCA has released today a major arm sale news release announcing a "possible" sale of 1000 AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles in addition to repair, spares, support, training and technical documentation at a value of $146 mission US Dollars

When DSCA announces a possible major arm sales, it is usually a done deal.
We are wondering however, if the big quantity can hint a possible platform deliveries in the near-term; in both cases it is a magnificent news for Lebanon.

WASHINGTON, Jun 4, 2015 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon for AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $146 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Lebanon has requested possible sale of 1,000 AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles, containers, repair and return, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor logistics and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $146 million.
http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/lebanon-agm-114-hellfire-ii-missiles

LAF receives a new batch of TOW II Launchers and Missiles

The Lebanese Army announced on June 1st, 2015 that it has received a shipment of TOW II missiles along to their launchers (ref). The statement did not specify the quantity, but looking at the published photos we could count at least 72 missiles (2x pallets of 24 and 3x pallets of 8).

Previous posts in this blog confirmed that the LAF is expected to receive TOW II missiles in the future, so these deliveries could be related to them.

Another AC-208B for the Lebanese Air Force by mid 2016

 Orbital Alliant Techsystems has been awarded a contract to acquire a Cessna 208B and convert it into the AC-208B model. The delivery is expected to be in May 2016.
Another contract to up-arm and retrofit and existing aircraft already exists with an expected completion date of February 2016.

Orbital Alliant Techsystems Inc., previously known as Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a not to exceed $26,134,804 firm-fixed-price contract for support of the Lebanon Cessna 208B Caravan Program. Contractor will provide one commercial-off-the-shelf Cessna 208B Caravan with a Garmin 1000 baseline glass cockpit, avionics package and Pratt & Whitney PT6A-140 turboprop engine. Modification of this aircraft will include an AN/ALE-47 countermeasures dispenser system, Terma aircraft survivability equipment suite missile warning system, electro-optical infrared imaging system MX-15D, broadcast microwave system data link system, surveillance tracking and recording system mission processor unit obsolescence re-design and hard points on each wing capable of carrying and employing AGM-114 Hellfire Missiles. Work will be performed at Beirut, Lebanon, and is expected to be complete by May 30, 2016. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. This contract is 100 percent foreign military sales to Lebanon. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-15-C-3035).
http://www.defense.gov/Contracts/Contract.aspx?ContractID=5551

More M4 carbines are planned for the LAF by 2018

Colt Defense LLC has been awarded a firm-fix-price, indefinite quantity FMS contract to supply multiple countries, including Lebanon with M4/M4A1 carbines.

Colt Defense LLC, West Hartford, Connecticut, was awarded a $36,104,812 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity foreign military sales contract (Jordan, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Colombia, Hungary, Oman, Panama, Romania, Senegal, Lebanon, Romania) for M4/M4A1 carbines. Funding and work location will be determined with each order with an estimated completion date of May 21, 2018. Bids were solicited via the Internet with one received. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-15-D-0038).
http://www.defense.gov/Contracts/Contract.aspx?ContractID=5547

LAF receives 16 Milan launchers and 48 Milan F2A missiles as part of DONAS

The Lebanese Army received today morning 16 Milan F1 launchers and 48 Milan F2A missiles during a ceremony at Beirut Airbase. This marks the first of a series of deliveries related to the DONAS agreement.

Lebanon already operates Milan, but the missiles provided in this delivery are considered a leap in the capabilities. The Milan F2A has tandem shaped-charge warheads and was introduced in 1993. Future deliveries will include Milan launchers with night capabilities; however, it is worth noting that Milan 1427-12-157-0800 launchers which were delivered today are compatible with MIRA thermal sight.

Some photos below from today's ceremony, courtesy to Reuters and AP (Click to Enlarge)

First batch of DONAS agreement arms to be delivered on April 20, 2015

The Lebanese Army has officially announced that Monday April 20, 2015 will mark the first delivery of the Saudi-French-Lebanese arming agreement, better known as DONAS. According to the agenda of the official ceremony, there is a 10 minutes presentation by the commander of the Anti-Armor regiment, which confirms earlier expectations that the first delivery will include 48 Milan missiles along to their launchers.

LAF said to receive Air Tractor AT-802 & Insitu ScanEagle

According to SD Arabia the Lebanese Air Force modernization program involves 4x Air Tractor AT-802 and 1x Boeing Insitu ScanEagle.

While we love the plan to acquire the ScanEagle (though wish for more), the reason to acquire the Air Tractor is not very clear (neither confirmed)  given the LAF's existing orders for the Cessna AC-208B, and almost finalized order for the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, and the strong rumors for ex-Jordanian Northrop F-5.

Lebanese Navy to receive RiverHawk SeaStriker 22

RiverHawk is building three SeaStriker 22 for Iraq and Lebanon (Ref). SD Arabia reported earlier this year that Lebanon will receive 2 fast boats in the coming few months (Ref).

The SeaStriker series fast patrol and interdiction craft can be configured with several armament and defense packages. It has a stern ramp for a 5-meter RHIB, shock-mitigating seating for 12 mission personnel and crew, and quarters, messing and galley to support multi-day missions. The bow is flat and fendered for boarding ops (Ref).

ATK was awarded up-arming and retrofit contract for LAF AC208B

Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) was awarded a contract on February 19, 2015 to up-arm and retrofit Cessna Caravan AC-208B as part of Lebanon's Caravan program (Ref).

This is most likely related to the current unarmed Cessna AC-208B being operated by the Lebanese Air Force along to another armed one.

LAF was supposed to receive Caiman Plus 6x6 Cat I MRAP

DSCA has updated its public Excess Defense Articles database with new interesting data. The data shows that the LAF was set to receive 50 Caiman Plus 6x6 Cat I MRAP, but the request or plan was later cancelled.

It is not clear why this was cancelled, and whether there will be any other request in the coming period, but the need to have MRAP is becoming more obvious since the clashes with ISIS.

LAF received M549 HERA and M72A1 LAW in 2014

DSCA has updated its public Excess Defense Articles database with new interesting data. The database shows that the LAF received large quantities of cartridges, projectiles, grenades, and training ammunition in 2014, including:

M549 High-Explosive Rocket Assisted (HERA) 155mm howitzer rounds	36
M72A1 LAW HEAT 66mm	227
Various types of 40mm rounds	5881
Various types of .50 Cal rounds	1,236,953

The M549 HERA is the most notable item which extends the 155mm round to 30KM if fired from M198 thanks to the rocket motor component.

France's Defense Ministry: The Lebanese Armed Forces modernization program is now launched

The French Defense Ministry announced today that the The Lebanese Armed Forces modernization program (DONAS agreement) is now effectively launched following the first installment payment. The agreement according to the statement includes armored vehicles, warships, attack helicopters, munitions and communications gear. The statement confirms previous information that the 1st deliveries will take place during April 2015 (Ref).

Big congratulations to the Lebanese Army, and the Lebanese people.

armored vehicles, warships, attack helicopters, munitions and communications gear. - See more at: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Feb-25/288702-france-says-it-will-begin-arms-shipments-to-lebanon-in-april.ashx#sthash.x9Tl1XcV.dpuf

armored vehicles, warships, attack helicopters, munitions and communications gear. - See more at: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Feb-25/288702-france-says-it-will-begin-arms-shipments-to-lebanon-in-april.ashx#sthash.x9Tl1XcV.dpuf

armored vehicles, warships, attack helicopters, munitions and communications gear. - See more at: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Feb-25/288702-france-says-it-will-begin-arms-shipments-to-lebanon-in-april.ashx#sthash.x9Tl1XcV.dpuf

armored vehicles, warships, attack helicopters, munitions and communications gear. - See more at: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Feb-25/288702-france-says-it-will-begin-arms-shipments-to-lebanon-in-april.ashx#sthash.x9Tl1XcV.dpuf

armored vehicles, warships, attack helicopters, munitions and communications gear. - See more at: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Feb-25/288702-france-says-it-will-begin-arms-shipments-to-lebanon-in-april.ashx#sthash.x9Tl1XcV.dpuf

armored vehicles, warships, attack helicopters, munitions and communications gear. - See more at: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Feb-25/288702-france-says-it-will-begin-arms-shipments-to-lebanon-in-april.ashx#sthash.x9Tl1XcV.dpuf

Tow Bunker Buster missiles for LAF by mid-2018

Contract W31P4Q-12-C-0265 was modified again on November 2014, this time to procure Tow Bunker Buster and TOW 2A missiles for Lebanon at a value of around $2 Millions (Ref).

This contract was previously modified in September 2014 to provide TOW 2A and TOW 2B to the Lebanese Army along to other armies by mid 2016.

Lebanon officially receives the previously delivered M109A2

Lebanon has officially announced the delivery of the previously mentioned M109A2 SP Howitzers. The announcement came during a joint Lebanon-Jordanian ceremony at Beirut Naval Base, today, February 23, 2015 (Ref).
Thirty M113 and twelve M109 Self-Propelled Howitzers were confirmed to have been delivered.
Jane's had reported previously that Lebanon will receive additional 22 M109 SP Howitzers as third party transfer through Jordan.

M109 SP Howitzers at Beirut Naval Base

Lebanon's CAESAR SP Howitzers are 24 and need at least 15 months

Jane's reported that Lebanon is expected to receive its 24 CAESAR Self-Propelled Howitzers after at least 15 months from finalizing the DONAS deal. These CAESAR howitzers are expected to be in standard French Army configuration.

Italy donates helicopter spare parts to Lebanese Army

Italy donated 774,000 EUR worth of spare parts for trucks and helicopters (ref).

It is not clear if these spare parts are for the grounded Agusta Bell 212 which have been in storage since mid-90s. It is worth mentioning that during his visit to Lebanon back in 2009 Italian Defense Minister, Ignazio La Russa, announced that Italy will provide aircraft spare-parts.

On the other hand, the LAF operates Fiat CM 90-16 trucks previously donated in 2011.

Lebanon officially receives new US arms shipment at Beirut Port

A vessel named Advantage coming straight from Port Sunny Point, USA, has officially delivered 72 ea M198 155mm Howitzers and 151 of ammunition containers (reported few days ago) containing 26 million rounds of different caliber ammunition, during an official Lebanese-US ceremony held at Beirut Port in the presence of the US Ambassador.

During the ceremony, recently delivered M1151A1 were also exhibited.

M198 being unloaded
Photo Credits: US Embassy in Beirut

Photo Credit: LBCI

M1151 on display.
Photos Credits: AFP

Lebanon expects 22 more M109 155mm SP howitzers

Janes reported that the Lebanese Army will receive another 22 M109 155mm self-propelled howitzers to those received earlier in late January 2015.

Janes confirmed that these M109 SP are coming as third party transfer through Jordan.

LAF receives 72 ea M198 155mm Howitzer from US

The LAF has announced that it will hold an official ceremony to receive 72 ea M198 155mm Howitzers and 151 containers on ammunition from the US on Sunday February 8, 2015 (ref).

The LAF had received 30 ea M-198 Howitzers in January 2010 (ref), 41 ea in 2008 (ref), and 36 during the 80's (unknown operational condition), making the new total up to 179 ea.

Germany cancels its veto on delivering VAB Mark III to Lebanon

We previously posted that Germany is blocking a Lebanese-French deal for VAB Mark III.
TTU recently reported that Germany has finally accepted to cancel its veto after pressure from French officials (Ref) especially that Germany has recently provided arms to the Peshmerga.

LAF to get a HMMWV refurbishment facility

AM General LLC was awarded a contract to perform a site survey for a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) refurbishment facility in Lebanon. This means that plans are ongoing to construct such a facility for the LAF (Ref).

Lebanon signs arms import contracts with Russia

The Lebanese Army magazine issue 355 - January 2015, has mentioned that the Chief of Staff signed contacts with Russia to import "advanced" weapons (ref), without giving further details.

LAF receives "dozens" armored Humvees; 29 are expected

The US Embassy in Beirut has announced that the United States "delivered dozens more brand new armored Humvees" to the LAF (ref).

We had reported before that 36 M1151A1 w/B1 are planned for the LAF, as options of a contract with AM General LLC. We can confirm that the mentioned contract was modified in September 2014 to exercise the options for 29 ea M1151A1 w/B1 and spare parts with expected completion by March 02, 2015. As such we would expect these delivered ones are the exercised options.

Credits: US Embassy in Beirut

LAF takes delivery of M109A2 howitzers

A photo emerged on Facebook confirming that the Lebanese Army took delivery of an unspecified number of M109A2 155mm self-propelled howitzers.

This recent addition is a major improvement for the fire power of the LAF which has been looking for this capability for a while; most recently it placed an order for a number of CAESAR 155mm self-propelled howitzer from France through the DONAS agreement. First talks about delivering M109 SP to Lebanon emerged in 2009 as a potential transfer of 34 systems from Jordan along to 66 M60A3 tanks [only 10 delivered]  (Ref).

Photo Credits: Military Vehicles in Lebanon Facebook page
The photo shows a Lebanese Army Transportation Regiment's MAN TGA 33.400 tank transporter

UPDATE

A larger photo by FLAG

Lebanese citizen donates Pulsar NV monocular and Laser Ranger Finders to the LAF

A Lebanese citizen called Roger N. donated a number of optics to the LAF worth around $6,150 according to the Lebanese Official Gazette issue 1, January, 2015.

In details, the items are:

1. 2 ea Pulsar Laser Range Finder
2. 1 ea Pulsar Night-vision Monocular
3. 1 ea  7x50 binocular

From our analysis, the laser range finder is the Pulsar PL77071 because it is the only one offered by Pulsar, as for the NV monocular, Pulsar has a range of devices. In all cases, we love and fell proud to see Lebanese citizens doing such donations.

Pulsar PL77071

LAF will acquire DVF 2000 mini UAV through DONAS agreement

According to SDA Weekly Issue 64, the Lebanese Air Force will acquire around 7 DVF 2000 mini UAVs through the DONAS agreement.

The DVF 2000 is a short-rang mini UAV able to operate up to a distance of 25Km for 1.5-2 hours (ref). The UAV can operate fully autonomous following a flight plan.

The Lebanese Air Force currently operates12 RQ-11 Raven miniature UAVs previously supplied during 2009 by the US; these UAVs are still under an active maintenance & logistics agreement.

DVF 2000 Composition

Third LAF Cessna AC-208B to be delivered during January 2015

A reliable independent researcher about Lebanese Air Force has confirmed that the third Cessna AC-208B Combat Caravan will be delivered during Jan 2015.

Lebanon already operates two Cessna AC-208, one is armed, while the other has recently been upgraded to be armed or will be upgraded very soon.

Lebanon ditches acquiring more Gazelle helicopters through DONAS

According to Riad Kahwaji (Chairman at SD Arabia), Lebanon has ditched the plans to acquire more armed Gazelle helicopters through the DONAS agreement. The Lebanese Air Force has decided to stick to the expected OH-58 Kiowa as the main close air support platform. Instead of acquiring more Gazelle helicopters, the Lebanese Air Force will overhaul and upgrade the existing fleet (ref).

Lebanon signs 30 million Euros contract for 80 Iveco military & police vehicles

According DefenseNews and Janes Lebanon has signed a 30 million euros contract with Iveco to supply the Lebanese Army and other Armed Forced with 80 military and police armored and unarmored vehicles.

As part of the contact the Lebanese Army will acquire:

• 10 6-by-6 VBTP-MR armored vehicles
• 25 Lince vehicles, also known as Light Multipurpose Vehicles vehicles
• 5 MPV vehicles (troop transport version)

Janes however detailed that the part related to the VBTP is yet to be signed (ref). These VBTP will be dispatched to Lebanon without armament.