US Delivers Two Super Tocano Aircraft to Lebanese Army
The planes will be used as armed observation aircraft and represent a big upgrade for the Lebanese Armed Forces
Dan Arkin and Ami Rojkes Dombe
| 02/11/2017
facebook.com/USEmbassyBeirut
The United States delivered two A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to Lebanon’s army, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
The planes will be used as armed observation aircraft, a security source in Lebanon said, and represent a big upgrade for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).
Earlier this month, Israel said Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shi‘ite Muslim movement, had gained control over Lebanon’s conventional military, a charge the Lebanese army denies.
"The significant increase in LAF combat capability that this aircraft represents will ensure that the LAF will remain a national unifying force, a bulwark against extremism and terrorism,” said US Ambassador Elizabeth Richard. Over the last decade, the US government has invested over $1.5 billion in training and equipment, and has trained over 32,000 Lebanese troops, Richard said.
"We have recently announced another $120 million in foreign military financing, which brings the total investment in the LAF to over $160 million just this year," she said. The United States will deliver another four Super Tucanos to Lebanon.
The two new aircraft – which have advanced combat and surveillance capabilities – will "make a qualitative leap in improving the aerial capabilities of the LAF," said Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun.
The planes will be used as armed observation aircraft and represent a big upgrade for the Lebanese Armed Forces
facebook.com/USEmbassyBeirut
The United States delivered two A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to Lebanon’s army, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
The planes will be used as armed observation aircraft, a security source in Lebanon said, and represent a big upgrade for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).
Earlier this month, Israel said Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shi‘ite Muslim movement, had gained control over Lebanon’s conventional military, a charge the Lebanese army denies.
"The significant increase in LAF combat capability that this aircraft represents will ensure that the LAF will remain a national unifying force, a bulwark against extremism and terrorism,” said US Ambassador Elizabeth Richard. Over the last decade, the US government has invested over $1.5 billion in training and equipment, and has trained over 32,000 Lebanese troops, Richard said.
"We have recently announced another $120 million in foreign military financing, which brings the total investment in the LAF to over $160 million just this year," she said. The United States will deliver another four Super Tucanos to Lebanon.
The two new aircraft – which have advanced combat and surveillance capabilities – will "make a qualitative leap in improving the aerial capabilities of the LAF," said Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun.
