Significant deliveres during Q1/Q2 2019 further bolser LAF capabilities

The arms delivered to the LAF continue steady, while other expected arms wait to be manufactured or delivered.  Starting 2019 until today, the LAF received the following arms among others:

1. France
1. 10x VAB HOT (Ref)
   Note:25x were received in 2017 & 2018 (More here and here)
2. VAB HOT simulator(s) (Ref)
   Note: At least 2 were delivered in 2018 (Ref)
2. USA
1. Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) (Ref)
   Note: 2000x ordered in 2105 along to A29 Super Tucano, read more here.
2. 6x Boeing Instu ScanEagle UAVs (Ref)
   Note: Ordered in 2017, read more here.
3. Oshkosh M1070 with M1000 semi-trailers (Ref)
4. Unspecified number of night-vision goggles and communication devices (Ref)

A waiting list of delivers exists with some already long overdue such as the M109A5.
The LAF capabilities have definitely leaped and there are hopes for even more advanced land and air systems, but, the navy remains the branch that needs much more investment in capability, upgrades, and fire power.

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)

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

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).