Lebanese Army to receive 2 newly built M88 Recovery Vehicles

Released US DOD awards details reveal that the Lebanese Army is set to receive 2 brand-new M88 Recovery Vehicle manufactured by BAE Systems Land & Armament L.P. The production request seems to be have been submitted in 2018 while delivery instructions were confirmed in November 2018.

While the LAF already operates M88, we are however not aware of any recent delivery of M88 vehicles, so we expect the vehicles to arrive in 2019.

SHIPPING INSTRUCTION FOR 2 LEBANON M88 VEHICLES.
DOD Award Administrative Change

Update May 29, 2019:
The two vehicles were delivered at Beirut Port on May 29, 2019 as announced by the Lebanese Army (Ref) while indicating these are M88A2.

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

LAF to receive additional 100 M1151A1B1 in 2019

A new delivery order for additional 100 M1151A1 w/B1 for the Lebanese Army has been placed in September 2018 according to released US DOD award records. The contract which is worth USD21.3 million has been awarded to AM General LLC and is expected to be completed by end of March 2019.

M1151A1B1 HMMWVS, 100 EACH AND CONTRACTOR UNIQUE SPARE PARTS PACKAGE FOR 3 YEARS FOR LEBANON, FMS CASE 7C-B-UWZ

The Lebanese Army already received a number of M1151A w/B1 in the past years.

Update:
The LAF took delivery of 150 ea M1151A1 w/B1 at Beirut Port on August 14, 2019 (Reference).

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

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)

Lebanese Air Force acquiring Joint Programmable Fuze FMU-152

A US DOD award on November 27, 2017 confirms that the Lebanese Air Force will be receiving an unspecified number of the Joint Programmable Fuze (JPF), FMU-152. The fuze is compatible with the MK-82/83/84 and BLU-109/113 warheads which can be used in conjunction with Paveway and JDAM kits.

This order comes soon after the Lebanese Air Force received its first two A29 Super Tucano, and must be directly related to its armaments.

"Kaman Precision Products, Orlando, Florida; Middletown, Connecticut, has been awarded a $85,169,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed fee contract for delivery of lot 13 of the joint programmable fuze, FMU-52 and corresponding production, test and engineering support.  Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida; and Middletown, Connecticut, with an expected completion date of Feb. 28, 2019.  This contract involves 26 percent foreign military sales to Bahrain, Belgium, Chile, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Lebanon, Morocco, Netherlands, Oman, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.  Fiscal 2017 procurement funds in the amount of $85,169,000 are being obligated at time of award.  This contract was a sole-source acquisition.  Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA868118C0009).
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1381242/
 "

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Lebanese Air Force to receive 6 MD 530G helicopters and 6 ScanEagle UAVs

On December 13, 2017 the US Embassy in Lebanon announced that the US will be funding three programs to support the Lebanese Army capability valued at more than $120 million. The programs will provide:

1. Six MD 530G light attack helicopters
2. Six ScanEagle UAVs
3. Communication, electronic, and night vision equipment

The Lebanese Air Force already operates an unspecified number of ScanEagle UAVs (ref) but the MD 530G is a new platform that would most likely cause the SA 342L Gazelle helicopters to be phased out sooner or later. The LAF has been trying to overhaul and upgrade its inventory of SA 342 Gazelle helicopters for long time, but it never managed due to funding limitations and undelivered French aids.

While only few of the Gazelles currently in service can fire guided missiles, the six MD 530G will be capable of doing so thanks to the modern technologies it is equipped with. The MD 530G uses the Moog Weapons Stores Management giving it flexibly and modularity in types of weapons it can be equipped with which range from guns to TALON and Hellfire missiles.  The weapons, together with the EO/IR sensor and on-screen targeting display, the platform will provide highly accurate hits.

"These programs are being funded through the Department of Defense’s “Building Partner Capacity” program and are together valued at more than $120 million.  The first program will provide the LAF a rotary wing close air support capability through delivery of six new MD 530G light attack helicopters and associated equipment and training, valued at more $94 million.  The second program will provide the LAF additional command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities through the delivery of six new Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicles and associated equipment and training, valued at more than $11 million.  The third program will provide the LAF additional capabilities to employ joint fire support and close air support through the delivery of communications equipment, electronics equipment, night vision devices, and training, valued at more than $16 million.

https://lb.usembassy.gov/centcom-commander-general-joseph-votels-visit-lebanon/
"


This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

LAF officially adopts MultiCam camouflage for its standard combat uniforms

The Lebanese Army officially adopted the MultiCam pattern as of today as its standard combat uniform camouflage (Ref). In what seems as a major change, the LAF officers no longer wear golden ranks on their combat uniforms as this has been replaced with a solid dark color equivalent.

The U.S. Woodland has so far been the standard camouflage pattern for LAF standard combat uniforms. Special Operations units have for long time adopted different camouflage patterns including UCP and MARPAT.

Credits: LAF

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

A-29 Super Tucano Expectations VS Reality Illustrations for the Novice

Negative feedback that are not based on any facts & information or any kind of research continue to follow the reception of the first two Lebanese A-29 Super Tucano. Most of these comments stem from the fact that the A-29 is a turbo-propeller aircraft, and that's leading to all sorts of stereotypes, including considering it a WWII aircraft.

LAF Digest previously prepared a detailed article detailing facts & giving answers to common A-29 misconceptions. Today, we are attempting to change the mindset visually using expectations VS reality images. Just like the previous article, the target audience is the general public, not those who are savvy in military topics.

Click to enlarge photos.

The A-29 can deliver guided missiles & bombs without utilizing legacy tactics. The Mirage III photo is used on purpose because it is part of the Lebanese nostalgia. It is time to move on.

The A-29 has modern cockpit & avionics.

The A-29 has a pressurized cabin just like modern jets.

The MX-15 offers advanced surveillance and targeting capabilities.

Disclaimer: none of the photos used in the comparison are property of LAF Digest, all credit goes to original authors. 

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)