Mediocrates
08-11-2010, 11:53 AM
If not the US then France, or Iran or anyone else.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Tanks-Planes-and-UAVs-for-Lebanon-05382/#more-5382
Lebanese armed forces
$100M aid suspension? That’s one expensive sniper! (Aug 9/10)
The Lebanese Army’s own web site is blunt:
“The assistance received from Syria, the USA, and other friendly countries has played a basic role in bridging the gap between needs and available means.â€
A number of countries are stepping up to fill those gaps, left in a military ravaged by foreign occupation, a long and losing civil war, and the presence of a foreign-backed private army in Lebanon possessing superior firepower. The USA has been supplying a wide range of equipment from ammunition to armored vehicles, and is adding tanks and mini-UAVs to that list. Belgium has worked to sell some of its own tanks and APCs, France has offered help with Lebanon’s existing French equipment; and in April 2009, Russia went so far as to offer MiG-29 fighters, for free, from its own stocks. What capabilities would these systems bring? And how are those sales going?
UAVs, Tanks, and Planes (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Tanks-Planes-and-UAVs-for-Lebanon-05382/#lebanon-buys-uavs) [updated]
Contracts & Key Events (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Tanks-Planes-and-UAVs-for-Lebanon-05382/#lebanese-defense-contracting) [updated]
Additional Readings (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Tanks-Planes-and-UAVs-for-Lebanon-05382/#lebanese-military-imports)
UAVS, Tanks, and Planes
(http://media.defenseindustrydaily.com/images/AIR_UAV_RQ-11_Raven_Assembly_Taji_Iraq.jpg)
Aerovironment’s RQ-11 Raven has become extremely popular in Afghanistan (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/raven-uavs-winning-gold-in-afghanistans-commando-olympics-01432/), and seen extensive use in Iraq. While the hand-launched UAV is far too small to carry anything beyond cameras, and is limited to low-flying missions out to about 1-15 miles, its virtues as a readily-used, squad-portable reconnaissance system that lets troops see over the next hill, or into the next block, are well and widely appreciated.
The M60 tank (http://www.army-technology.com/projects/m60/) is a development of the M48 Patton, and was the M1 Abrams’ predecessor in the US Army and Marines. While the M1 was developed in response to the threat of the Soviet T-72, it turned out that the M60 was the T-72’s real peer competitor, whereas the M1 proved to be a massive overmatch. Something the M1 crews appreciated during combat in Operation Desert Storm. The M60A3 was the last serving model, sporting electronic upgrades while retaining the rounded turret and 105mm gun. It still serves with a number of militaries around the world. Egypt has the largest regional M60 fleet, followed by Turkey’s “M60 Sabras†that sport significant Israeli improvements to their sighting systems and electronics, as well as a full array of explosive reactive armor.
Recent combat experience teaches that even in urban situations, when tanks enter the fray, fights usually end quickly. Tanks of the M60’s vintage, however, lack the advanced armor protection and shaped designs required to withstand hits from popular threats like RPGs and anti-tank missiles. This can be remedied to some extent by adding explosive reactive armor and other ancillary systems. In their absence, however, M60s could not be expected to last very long against even private armies like Hezbollah, which makes extensive use of anti-tank missiles. The M60A3s, and similar vintage Leopard 1A5s from Belgium (http://www.haaland.info/leopard1/world/), would nonetheless offer an improvement over Lebanon’s existing T-54/55 and M48A5 tanks.
(http://media.defenseindustrydaily.com/images/AIR_MiG-29_Takeoff_lg.jpg)
The MiG-29 (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mig-29.htm) is a late 1980s design, intended as a lightweight fighter competitor to the F-16. Early versions are mainly air interceptor aircraft, though some Soviet MiG-29As were also given nuclear strike roles. Subsequent MiG-29Cs were confined to Soviet forces, incorporating radar improvements and an enlarged spine that housed a little bit of additional fuel and an active electronic jammer system. Neither are suitable for delivering precision ground attack ordnance, a capability restricted to subsequent MiG-29S upgrades and modifications.
Lebanon’s fixed-wing fighter/attack force currently consists of about 4 Hawker Hunter (http://www.vectorsite.net/avhunt.html) jets, a 1950s era subsonic design that remains an aviation classic, and an OV-10 Bronco (http://www.boeing.com/history/bna/ov10.htm) turboprop observation and light attack plane. Adding the MiG-29s to its air force would theoretically allow Lebanon to contest intrusions into its airspace by Israeli fighters, who fly reconnaissance missions, and even some strike missions, in response to frequent Hezbollah attacks into Israel. This capability would remain theoretical, however, as any hostilities initiated by a MiG-29 against Israeli fighters would likely trigger the swift destruction of Lebanon’s entire air force. Ground attack missions are unlikely at this point, since the main internal threat is Hezbollah, who is currently part of a 2009 unity government (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8347965.stm).
An interesting shift occurred in early 2010, when Russia and Lebanon agreed to substitute Mi-24 “Hind†helicopter gunships (http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/hind/) for the MiG-29s. The Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s saw some air-air engagements involving Iraqi Mi-24s and Iranian AH-1J SeaCobra helicopters, but the Hind’s main use is as a ground attack platform. It fits Lebanon’s military requirements and base infrastructure far better than the MiG-29s would have, but it also introduces an interesting dynamic into military relations within Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s participation in Lebanon’s government is a triple-edged sword for the Lebanese military.
On the one hand, it makes hostilities with Lebanon’s army unlikely so long as the accord lasts. The other 2 edges, however, are sharp. One is that it gives Hezbollah free rein to re-arm and organize; since Hezbollah’s agenda is set in Iran and not in Lebanon, this may set the stage for a future conflict within or beyond Lebanon. The other is that Israeli officials have said that since Hezbollah is part of the Lebanese government, acts carried out by Hezbollah would be considered to be coming from Lebanon’s government – i.e. acts of war rather than terrorism. The strong implication is that any Israeli response would encompass all of Lebanon, not just Hezbollah.
Contracts and Key Events
(http://media.defenseindustrydaily.com/images/AIR_MI-24_lg.jpg)
Aug 8/10: The US Congress is blocking $100 million in aid to the Lebanese military, amidst concerns it is cooperating with Hezbollah. The Congressional holds come in the wake of an Aug 3 shooting of 2 Israeli officers while brush was being cleared along the northern border. One Israeli officer was killed and another seriously wounded in the firefight, which also killed at least 2 Lebanese soldiers and a journalist. There are reports that the Lebanese troops in question were using American-supplied weapons. Associated Press (http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/08/09/1295377/us-military-aid-to-lebanon-put.html) | Jerusalem Post (http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=184290) | al-Manar TV (http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=149150&language=en) (Hezbollah affiliate) | Lebanon Daily Star (http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=118083#axzz0wFh3SXEk) | Australia’s The Age (http://www.theage.com.au/world/tensions-high-on-israellebanon-border-20100804-11fkt.html)/ Reuters re: clash.
June 3/10: The USA delivers $427,000 worth of weapons, body armor and bomb investigation equipment to Lebanese security officials, via a $1 million anti-terrorism assistance program for Lebanon from the U.S. State Department. UPI (http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2010/06/03/US-donates-military-aid-to-Lebanon/UPI-13861275582701/).
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Tanks-Planes-and-UAVs-for-Lebanon-05382/#more-5382
Lebanese armed forces
$100M aid suspension? That’s one expensive sniper! (Aug 9/10)
The Lebanese Army’s own web site is blunt:
“The assistance received from Syria, the USA, and other friendly countries has played a basic role in bridging the gap between needs and available means.â€
A number of countries are stepping up to fill those gaps, left in a military ravaged by foreign occupation, a long and losing civil war, and the presence of a foreign-backed private army in Lebanon possessing superior firepower. The USA has been supplying a wide range of equipment from ammunition to armored vehicles, and is adding tanks and mini-UAVs to that list. Belgium has worked to sell some of its own tanks and APCs, France has offered help with Lebanon’s existing French equipment; and in April 2009, Russia went so far as to offer MiG-29 fighters, for free, from its own stocks. What capabilities would these systems bring? And how are those sales going?
UAVs, Tanks, and Planes (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Tanks-Planes-and-UAVs-for-Lebanon-05382/#lebanon-buys-uavs) [updated]
Contracts & Key Events (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Tanks-Planes-and-UAVs-for-Lebanon-05382/#lebanese-defense-contracting) [updated]
Additional Readings (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Tanks-Planes-and-UAVs-for-Lebanon-05382/#lebanese-military-imports)
UAVS, Tanks, and Planes
(http://media.defenseindustrydaily.com/images/AIR_UAV_RQ-11_Raven_Assembly_Taji_Iraq.jpg)
Aerovironment’s RQ-11 Raven has become extremely popular in Afghanistan (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/raven-uavs-winning-gold-in-afghanistans-commando-olympics-01432/), and seen extensive use in Iraq. While the hand-launched UAV is far too small to carry anything beyond cameras, and is limited to low-flying missions out to about 1-15 miles, its virtues as a readily-used, squad-portable reconnaissance system that lets troops see over the next hill, or into the next block, are well and widely appreciated.
The M60 tank (http://www.army-technology.com/projects/m60/) is a development of the M48 Patton, and was the M1 Abrams’ predecessor in the US Army and Marines. While the M1 was developed in response to the threat of the Soviet T-72, it turned out that the M60 was the T-72’s real peer competitor, whereas the M1 proved to be a massive overmatch. Something the M1 crews appreciated during combat in Operation Desert Storm. The M60A3 was the last serving model, sporting electronic upgrades while retaining the rounded turret and 105mm gun. It still serves with a number of militaries around the world. Egypt has the largest regional M60 fleet, followed by Turkey’s “M60 Sabras†that sport significant Israeli improvements to their sighting systems and electronics, as well as a full array of explosive reactive armor.
Recent combat experience teaches that even in urban situations, when tanks enter the fray, fights usually end quickly. Tanks of the M60’s vintage, however, lack the advanced armor protection and shaped designs required to withstand hits from popular threats like RPGs and anti-tank missiles. This can be remedied to some extent by adding explosive reactive armor and other ancillary systems. In their absence, however, M60s could not be expected to last very long against even private armies like Hezbollah, which makes extensive use of anti-tank missiles. The M60A3s, and similar vintage Leopard 1A5s from Belgium (http://www.haaland.info/leopard1/world/), would nonetheless offer an improvement over Lebanon’s existing T-54/55 and M48A5 tanks.
(http://media.defenseindustrydaily.com/images/AIR_MiG-29_Takeoff_lg.jpg)
The MiG-29 (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mig-29.htm) is a late 1980s design, intended as a lightweight fighter competitor to the F-16. Early versions are mainly air interceptor aircraft, though some Soviet MiG-29As were also given nuclear strike roles. Subsequent MiG-29Cs were confined to Soviet forces, incorporating radar improvements and an enlarged spine that housed a little bit of additional fuel and an active electronic jammer system. Neither are suitable for delivering precision ground attack ordnance, a capability restricted to subsequent MiG-29S upgrades and modifications.
Lebanon’s fixed-wing fighter/attack force currently consists of about 4 Hawker Hunter (http://www.vectorsite.net/avhunt.html) jets, a 1950s era subsonic design that remains an aviation classic, and an OV-10 Bronco (http://www.boeing.com/history/bna/ov10.htm) turboprop observation and light attack plane. Adding the MiG-29s to its air force would theoretically allow Lebanon to contest intrusions into its airspace by Israeli fighters, who fly reconnaissance missions, and even some strike missions, in response to frequent Hezbollah attacks into Israel. This capability would remain theoretical, however, as any hostilities initiated by a MiG-29 against Israeli fighters would likely trigger the swift destruction of Lebanon’s entire air force. Ground attack missions are unlikely at this point, since the main internal threat is Hezbollah, who is currently part of a 2009 unity government (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8347965.stm).
An interesting shift occurred in early 2010, when Russia and Lebanon agreed to substitute Mi-24 “Hind†helicopter gunships (http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/hind/) for the MiG-29s. The Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s saw some air-air engagements involving Iraqi Mi-24s and Iranian AH-1J SeaCobra helicopters, but the Hind’s main use is as a ground attack platform. It fits Lebanon’s military requirements and base infrastructure far better than the MiG-29s would have, but it also introduces an interesting dynamic into military relations within Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s participation in Lebanon’s government is a triple-edged sword for the Lebanese military.
On the one hand, it makes hostilities with Lebanon’s army unlikely so long as the accord lasts. The other 2 edges, however, are sharp. One is that it gives Hezbollah free rein to re-arm and organize; since Hezbollah’s agenda is set in Iran and not in Lebanon, this may set the stage for a future conflict within or beyond Lebanon. The other is that Israeli officials have said that since Hezbollah is part of the Lebanese government, acts carried out by Hezbollah would be considered to be coming from Lebanon’s government – i.e. acts of war rather than terrorism. The strong implication is that any Israeli response would encompass all of Lebanon, not just Hezbollah.
Contracts and Key Events
(http://media.defenseindustrydaily.com/images/AIR_MI-24_lg.jpg)
Aug 8/10: The US Congress is blocking $100 million in aid to the Lebanese military, amidst concerns it is cooperating with Hezbollah. The Congressional holds come in the wake of an Aug 3 shooting of 2 Israeli officers while brush was being cleared along the northern border. One Israeli officer was killed and another seriously wounded in the firefight, which also killed at least 2 Lebanese soldiers and a journalist. There are reports that the Lebanese troops in question were using American-supplied weapons. Associated Press (http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/08/09/1295377/us-military-aid-to-lebanon-put.html) | Jerusalem Post (http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=184290) | al-Manar TV (http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=149150&language=en) (Hezbollah affiliate) | Lebanon Daily Star (http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=118083#axzz0wFh3SXEk) | Australia’s The Age (http://www.theage.com.au/world/tensions-high-on-israellebanon-border-20100804-11fkt.html)/ Reuters re: clash.
June 3/10: The USA delivers $427,000 worth of weapons, body armor and bomb investigation equipment to Lebanese security officials, via a $1 million anti-terrorism assistance program for Lebanon from the U.S. State Department. UPI (http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2010/06/03/US-donates-military-aid-to-Lebanon/UPI-13861275582701/).