LAF expects 200 MK19 Automatic Grenade Launchers & 5,212 M16A2 rifles

According to US Congressional notifications from DSCA on March 21, and 22, 2017, Lebanese Army is expected to receive a grant of 200 MK19 40mm Automatic Grenade Launchers & 5,212 M16A2 rifles under the EDA program. The M16A2 grant is valued at $390,379, while that of the MK19 is valued at $3,064,000.

MK19 Grenade Launcher (Source: http://www.peosoldier.army.mil/)

The LAF already operates both weapons for some years now. The M16 and M4 are the standard rifles among the absolute majority of the LAF units. As part of the latest M16 deliveries, the US delivered 1500 M16A4 back in 2014.

Source of Info: https://cha.house.gov/

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

LAF expected to receive even more M109A5 & M992A2

According to US Congressional notifications from DSCA on May 16, 2017, Lebanese Army is expected to receive a grant of "up to" 50 M109A5 Howitzers along to 28 M992A2 Field Ammunition Support Vehicles under the EDA program. The grant is valued at $5,502,083.

Lebanon is already expecting 24 M109A5 and 10 M992 as EDA; it is not clear whether this new grant is completely separate from the previous authorization or an extension of it. Besides the LAF already operates 12x M109A2 received back in 2015 through transfer from Jordan.


Source of Info: https://cha.house.gov/

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

LAF expects 1,800 M240B machine guns under EDA program

According to US Congressional notifications from DSCA on May 03, 2017, Lebanese Army is expected to receive a grant of 1,800 M240B machine guns under the EDA program. The grant is valued $1,426,860.

On May 05, 2017, the Lebanese Army took a delivery of 171x M240 machine guns along to other machines guns. The two grants appear to be separate given the time-frame of execution.

Source of Info: https://cha.house.gov/

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Lebanon's expected 32 M2 Bradley IFVs will be A2 ODS

As previously reported, the Lebanese Army is expecting 32 M2 Bradley IFVs. As an update, based on information during US House hearing session held in February 2016, it is confirmed that the variant will be the M2A2 ODS.

Finally, Army is analyzing proposals to transfer 32 M2A2 ODS 
Bradley Fighting Vehicles (BFV) and 12 OH-58D Kiowa Helicopters to 
Lebanon via the Counter-terrorism Partnership Fund (CTPF) by Fiscal 
Year 2017. 
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-114hhrg22432/html/CHRG-114hhrg22432.htm

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Embrarer is finishing the last of Lebanon's 6 A-29 Super Tucano

According to a report from Janes, Embrarer/SNC is completing the last aircraft from Lebanon's order of 6 A-29 Super Tucano. The reports confirms what we expected before regarding the 4 aircraft currently at Moody AFB for training.

The first batch of aircraft are expected to start arriving in Lebanon by fall 2017. Earlier this year, photos & videos of the Lebanese A-29 during training surfaced online showing 3 different aircraft.

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

LAF receives first of 15 VAB HOT and a batch of HOT missiles

The Lebanese Army received today the first batch of a total of 15 VAB HOT (VCAC Mephisto), a variant of the VAB APC with HOT missiles launcher turret featuring 4 launcher tubes. In addition, the first batch of, possibly, hundreds of HOT missiles along to other ammunition, spare parts and 10 K9 dogs.

This first delivery included five VAB vehicles, three of which are meant to be for spare parts (ref). It is not clear how many HOT missiles were delivered exactly in this first batch, but there were at least 64 missiles on display based on the released photos.

This represents another donation by the French government, valued at nearly 15 million EURs. A previous donation in 2016 provided Milan AGTM missiles and other equipment also valued at 15 million EURs.

This is the first time the LAF operates the VAB HOT variant, these platforms were specifically selected to fit the needs & challenges faced on the borders with Syria.

 

Photo Credit: French Embassy

 

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

ScanEagle UAV Hardware & Support Solicitation for the Lebanese Air Force

The [US] Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is soliciting sole source agreement of $11.3M to "procure ScanEagle Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV's), spares, support equipment, tools, training, and support services in support of the Government of Lebanon previously procured ScanEagle Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS's)" (Ref).

The synopsis does not clarify the quantities, but continues by mentioning a very important point, this is a follow-up for previous FMS cases for "continued production and sustainment of previously procured ScanEagle systems by the Government of Lebanon" (Ref). The Lebanese Air Force already operates at least 4x ScanEagle UAVs (Some could be out-of-service due to crashes), but as we can understand from this new information, the FMS could have options to be exercised at any time to acquire additional systems.

It is also understood that the Rayak AFB would be the place of delivery. Rayak AFB has been receiving multiple US Air Force transport aircraft in the recent months which are expected to be delivering munition and equipment.

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)