France delivers second batch of VAB Mephisto to Lebanese Army

France delivered its second batch of VAB HOT to the Lebanese Army on November 27, 2018 (Ref). The delivery included:

1. 10x VAB HOT
2. 2x VAB HOT simulators
3. 96x HOT missiles 

 This is the second delivery after the 15 vehicles delivered in 2017.

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

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

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.

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.

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.

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.