The Al-Akhbar Lebanese newspaper quoted the new LAF commander Gen. Joseph Aoun referring to upcoming US arms deliveries: "US assistance consisting of shells, missiles, new APCs, and artillery will arrive soon". (Ref)
The most common APC operated by the Lebanese Army is the M113 with more than 1,300 vehicles of different variants & derivatives acquired from difference sources. Lebanon has been receiving this APC for years with 200 more delivered in 2013 and 30 in 2015.
Lebanon does not however operate the M113A3 Gavin, which could be considered "new" APC by the LAF standard, yet, does Lebanon need more basic APCs? Isn't Lebanon looking for better armored and more lethal vehicles? Isn't Lebanon looking for IFV not APC?
The, derived, answer is yes, Lebanon needs and is looking for IFVs, we can conclude this from two main events.
The Belgian Deal 2009
Lebanon had a one of a kind opportunity to procure ex-Belgium AIFV-B-C25 from Belgium at ~56,000 EUR per vehicle including spare parts and ammunition (Ref). Lebanon took this opportunity and acquired 16 vehicles which were later combat proven during battles with ISIS and JAN.
DONAS
The DONAS agreement (status unknown, but most likely cancelled) is another opportunity where Lebanon tried to acquire IFVs. The deal included VAB infantry combat vehicle (ICV) variant (ref).
Besides these two, the LAF has been attempting to upgrade the armor & protection of its M113. We have seen variants being exhibited or in operations with cage & locally made cupola shields that is completed closed.
Back to what the commander mentioned; should we conclude that he actually meant IFVs, not, yet, just another number of M113 APCs? If so, is it the M2 Bradley given than IAV Stryker is not a vehicle being phased out? Until further information, let's keep our hopes for the M2 Bradley.
This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)
The most common APC operated by the Lebanese Army is the M113 with more than 1,300 vehicles of different variants & derivatives acquired from difference sources. Lebanon has been receiving this APC for years with 200 more delivered in 2013 and 30 in 2015.
Lebanon does not however operate the M113A3 Gavin, which could be considered "new" APC by the LAF standard, yet, does Lebanon need more basic APCs? Isn't Lebanon looking for better armored and more lethal vehicles? Isn't Lebanon looking for IFV not APC?
The, derived, answer is yes, Lebanon needs and is looking for IFVs, we can conclude this from two main events.
The Belgian Deal 2009
Lebanon had a one of a kind opportunity to procure ex-Belgium AIFV-B-C25 from Belgium at ~56,000 EUR per vehicle including spare parts and ammunition (Ref). Lebanon took this opportunity and acquired 16 vehicles which were later combat proven during battles with ISIS and JAN.
DONAS
The DONAS agreement (status unknown, but most likely cancelled) is another opportunity where Lebanon tried to acquire IFVs. The deal included VAB infantry combat vehicle (ICV) variant (ref).
Besides these two, the LAF has been attempting to upgrade the armor & protection of its M113. We have seen variants being exhibited or in operations with cage & locally made cupola shields that is completed closed.
Back to what the commander mentioned; should we conclude that he actually meant IFVs, not, yet, just another number of M113 APCs? If so, is it the M2 Bradley given than IAV Stryker is not a vehicle being phased out? Until further information, let's keep our hopes for the M2 Bradley.
This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)
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