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.

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.