LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Friday, February 27, 2015

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.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

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

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

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.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

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.