List of equipment of the Lebanese Armed Forces

Lebanese Armed Forces equipment still contains significant amounts of old weaponry, but it has embarked on some major improvements recently. The M113, which is commonly found with every regiment and brigade, is considered to be the major element of the ground forces. A collection of Western and Soviet made arms and equipment exists ranging from rifles to tanks such as the T-54/55. However, the Lebanese army is still trying to rearm and modernize itself through new aids and purchases from different countries such as the United States, Belgium, Russia, and The Netherlands.

Rearming and modernization

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The LAF has been attempting to modernize and equip itself since 2005. Due to the budget limits, and instead of spawning an indigenous arms industry the LAF is relying on donations and friendly priced equipment.

The United States has been supplying the Lebanese Armed Forces with light to medium arms since 2005, in the form of a package of more than US$1.2 billion-worth of equipment that is still being executed. Among these supplies are HMMWV, M-35/A3, Mk 19 grenade launcher, M141 Bunker Defeat Munition, TOW 2, HELLFIRE 2, AT4, and Barrett M107 .50 Cal. sniper. The US has promised to supply Lebanon with M2A2 ODS and M109A5. In addition, the US supplied Lebanon with 12 RQ-11 Raven small hand-launched UAVs, 12 M-109A3 and 183 additional M198 Howitzers from 2008 to 2016 making the total to 219,[1] and promised to deliver all water patrol boats and more utility, and attack helicopters.

On April 20, 2015, the Lebanese army took delivery of 48 MBDA Milan short-range anti-tank missiles as part of the $3 billion package donated by Saudi Arabia.

On February 19, 2016, The army chief expressed in an interview to Al-Akhbar newspaper the status of the Military aid to Lebanon and said: There are contributions from many countries, but they remain symbolic. The US still the largest armament supplier. Later on the same day the Saudi Arabia press agency quoted on a Saudi official, that Saudi Arabia halted the $3 billion program for military supplies to Lebanon.

Equipment

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Pistols

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Brand Origin Photos Caliber Versions Notes
Browning Hi-Power[2]   Belgium
  United States
  9×19mm Parabellum Standard-issue for military and police.
Glock   Austria   9×19mm Parabellum Glock 17, Glock 18 In Use with Special Forces.
Beretta 92   Italy   9×19mm Parabellum Limited use.
P-64 CZAK   Polish People's Republic   9×18mm Makarov In Reserve.

Assault rifles

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Brand Origin Versions Photos Notes
M4 carbine[3][4]   United States SOPMOD   Standard-issue rifle of all intervention regiments and special forces units.
M16 rifle[5][6]   United States A1, A2, A4   Standard-issue rifle, in total 70000 A4 are being received all deliveries will be made by the year 2021 to replace the remaining A1 variant
Close Quarters Battle Receiver   United States MK18   Used by the Navy Commandos to replace the MP5. Lebanese Special Units operate the CQBR.
AKM   Soviet Union   Replaced by the M16 and M4. Used by reserve.
AK-74   Soviet Union AKS-74,

AKS-74U,

AK-74M

  Limited usage.
FAMAS[2]   France F1   Limited usage,In use with some Special Forces Squads.
Heckler & Koch G3   West Germany G3A3   The G3 is only used for cadet training.
SIG SG 540[2]   Switzerland   Most were transferred to Lebanese Internal Security Forces
Daewoo Precision Industries K2   South Korea K2   Limited usage.

Sniper rifles

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Brand Origin Versions Photos
Barrett M82   United States  
M24   United States  
Steyr SSG 69   Austria  

Machine guns

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Brand Origin Versions Photos
M249   United States  
MK-46   United States  
M240   United States M240L  
M60 machine gun   United States  
M2 Browning   United States M2HB  
M1919 Browning   United States M1919A4  
DShK   Soviet Union DShKM  
PK machine gun   Soviet Union  
Rheinmetall MG 3   Germany  
FN MAG   Belgium  
FN Minimi   Belgium  

SMGs and Shotguns

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Brand Origin Type Photos
Heckler & Koch MP5   West Germany Submachine gun  
OTs-02 Kiparis   Soviet Union Submachine gun  
FN P90[7]   Belgium Personal defense weapon  
Franchi SPAS-12   Italy Combat shotgun  
Mossberg 500   United States Riot / Combat shotgun  

Rocket/Grenade launchers

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Brand Origin Versions Photos
M203   United States  
M72 LAW   United States
 
M141 Bunker Defeat Munition   United States  
MK-153 SMAW[8]   United States  
RPG-7   Soviet Union  
AT4   Sweden  

Vehicle mounted artillery

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Artillery Type Origin Photo
M40 Recoilless rifle (113 units)   United States  
MK 19 Grenade launcher   United States  

Anti-tank missiles

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Artillery Type Origin Photo
BGM-71 TOW Anti tank version tandem warhead TOW-2A, wireless TOW, and bunker buster version BGM-71H   United States  
M712 Copperhead Laser-guided artillery shell   United States  
MILAN MILAN 1
MILAN 2
  France
  West Germany
 
HOT[9] HOT II   France
  West Germany
 

Anti-aircraft Weapons/Vehicles

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Artillery Type Origin Quantity Photo
9K32 Strela-2 Surface-to-air missile   Soviet Union  
ZU-23-2 Anti-aircraft gun   Soviet Union  
ZPU Anti-aircraft gun   Soviet Union  

Helmets

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Brand Origin Type Photos Notes
ECH   United States Combat helmet   Standard issue helmet of the Lebanese army replaced the Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops in 2018
PASGT   United States Combat helmet   Former Standard issue helmet for the Lebanese army replaced by the Enhanced Combat Helmet in 2018
MICH / ACH   United States Combat helmet   Used by the Lebanese Special Operations Command and some other units
Ops-Core FAST Helmet   United States Combat helmet   Main users are the Lebanese Special Operations Command and the intervention regiments also seen used by conventional brigades
Modèle 1978 helmet   France Combat helmet   Limited use

Optics

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Brand Origin Type Photos
EOTech   United States Holographic weapon sight  
Aimpoint CompM4   United States Aimpoint  
Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight   United States Telescopic sight  

Night vision equipment

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Brand Origin Type Photos
AN/PVS-14   United States Night-vision device  
AN/PVS-7   United States Night-vision device  
AN/PEQ-2   United States IR laser and illumination  

Unarmored vehicles

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Model Versions Origin In service Notes Pictures
Humvee M998/M1025/M1046/M1035   United States +1500  
M54 5-ton 6x6 truck Cargo   United States  
M151 MUTT A2   United States In limited use  
CUCV M1008/M1009/M1010 Ambulance/M1028/M880/M882/M883/M885/M886 Ambulance   United States In limited use  
M35 series 2½-ton 6×6 cargo truck Cargo/Transport   United States  
DAF YA 4440/4442 Cargo transport   Netherlands  
FMTV Humanitarian relief, troop and Cargo transport   United States 100 .[10]  
Polaris Ranger 500 4×4 All-terrain vehicle   United States  
Land Rover Defender 90 Cargo/Transport   United Kingdom  
Mercedes-Benz 250 GD "Wolf" Ambulance   Austria
  West Germany
20  
Volkswagen Transporter (T5) Transport   West Germany
  Germany
 
KamAZ-4310 Cargo transport   Soviet Union
  Russian Federation
100~  
Iveco Trakker cargo transport   Italy seen during the military parade in Beirut 2017  
Iveco Daily Homeland security   Italy used by internal security forces  
Toyota Land Cruiser Transport   Japan  
Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4×4i   Japan

Tanks

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Model Versions Origin In service Pictures Note
M60 A3   United States 10 [11]   Delivery in 2009 4 M60A3 TTS and 6 M60A3 IFCS ref. Lebanese Army magazine issue of December 2009 issue number 294.
M48 A5PI   United States 66   Delivery in 1984 of a total number of 106. Used by the 5th Infantry brigade and the 1st Armoured regiment which brings the total number to 81. As of 2024, the Lebanese army operates and maintains 66 M48A5 tanks. International Institute for Strategic Studies (2023). The Military Balance. Routledge. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
T-54/55 T-55A, T-54B, T-54A, T-54-3, T-54-2   Soviet Union ~40 Operational ~100 Non-Operational   In 1988 Iraq delivered an unknown number of T-54/55, around 50 from militias after the civil war, 30 T-55 delivered from Libya after the civil war, 180 delivered in 1993 from Syria. Used as support by some Infantry Brigades, but it's main operators are the 2nd Armored Brigade and the 3rd Mechanized Brigade, between them operating roughly 40 T-55A/T-55B/T-55MV. The Lebanese army possesses roughly 140 in total, with most being non-operational, mainly T-54 and subsequent variants as well as T-55A tanks.

Armored personnel carrier

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Model Versions Origin In service Notes Photos
M1151   United States 259 +300 TBD  
M113 A2, A3, M577   United States 1,275 Many armed with BGM-71 TOW, ZPU and ZU-23-2;some are captured from Israeli army in 2006 Lebanon War and 1982 Lebanon War  

 

VAB VTT   France 100 Used also by the military police  

Armored fighting vehicle

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Model Versions Origin In service Notes Photos
Bradley Fighting Vehicle M2A2 ODS   United States 32  
AIFV-B-C25   United States 16 16 ex-Belgian AIFV-B-C25 vehicles.  
VAB Mephisto ATGM   France 35[9] Equipped with HOT II missiles  
Panhard AML   France 45  

Artillery

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Artillery Versions Origin In service Photos
M109A3 155 mm   United States 12[12]  
M198 155 mm   United States 219  
M114A1 155 mm   United States 20  
M101A1 105 mm   United States 15  
M102 105 mm   United States 10  
D-30 122 mm   Soviet Union 42  
M-30 122 mm   Soviet Union 33  
M-46 gun 130 mm   Soviet Union 25  
2A36 Giatsint-B 152 mm   Soviet Union 10+  
BM-21 Grad 122 mm   Soviet Union 30  

Other vehicle

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Artillery Versions Origin In service Photos
M88 Recovery Vehicle A1
A2
  United States 35 TBD
2
 
M578 Light Recovery Vehicle   United States 31  
Caterpillar D9 D9N   United States 2  
M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle A2   United States 10/28 TBD  
Oshkosh M1070   United States 8  

Logistics and engineering equipment

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Military simulation

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  • Janus[15][16][17]
  • Engagement Skills Trainer 2000 [18]
  • TOW anti-tank simulators
  • Milan anti-tank simulators
  • VAB Mephisto simulators[19]

Recent supplies

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  • The United Kingdom donated 1.2 million euros worth of armoured vehicle parts in May 2023.[20]
  • Lebanese Army received 3 Huey 2 helicopters from the US in February 2021[21]
  • Lebanese Army received VAB and Hot missiles and other equipment from France on May 30-2017
  • Lebanon received 12 M109 155mm self-propelled howitzer from Jordan in March 2015 and 400 Tow 2 by June 2015.
  • Lebanon received 72 M-198 Howitzers from the United States on February 8, 2015, along with M1044 (Up-Armored HMMWV) vehicles donated by the US, as part of the aid for fighting terrorism.[22]
  • Lebanon received 120 Land Rover Defender 90 from the United Kingdom on December 10, 2013.[23]
  • Lebanon received 71 HMMWVs, M1038 Cargo/Troop Carrier, M1026 Armament Carrier w/ Basic Armor, M1044 Armament Carrier w/ Supplemental Armor, vehicles donated by the US on August 17, 2013[24]
  • During August 2013 France has enhanced the operational capacities of the Lebanese army by providing military equipment. The gift, includes bulletproof vests, optical equipment and HOT missiles for Gazelle Helicopter[25]
  • Lebanon received 31 M1151 (Up-Armored HMMWV) vehicles donated by the US on August 17, 2012
  • Lebanon received 24 M1151 (Up-Armored HMMWV) vehicles donated by the US on July 22, 2011
  • Lebanon received 106 vehicles donated by the UN in Lebanon on the Thirteenth of May 2011
  • Lebanon received 30 M-198 Howitzers in January, 2010.[26] This follows an earlier supply of 41 Howitzers in 2008, and 36 Howitzers operated by the LAF since the 80's.
  • Lebanon received 16 AIFVs and 12 M-113 Ambulances early December 2009, these were purchased from Belgium.[27]
  • On May 22, Lebanon officially announced the delivery of the first 10 M60/A3, one M88, and several other items during a ceremony at Beirut International Airport.
  • On March 23, 2009, the LAF took delivery of 40 HMMWVs, and 9 sport utility vehicles from the USA.[28]
  • On March 20, 2009, the LAF purchased 6 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4×4i.[29]
  • On December 28, 2008, the USA delivered 72 HMMWVs were recently delivered, Twelve of these vehicles are ambulances.[30]
  • During 2008, the US supplied Lebanon with 200 M35A3 and 41 M198 Howitzers.[31]
  • As of March 2008, The Netherlands has donated 100 DAF trucks to the Lebanese Army.[32]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Heavy U.S. Military Aid to Lebanon Arrives ahead of Elections". Naharnet Newsdesk. April 9, 2009. Archived from the original on November 30, 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (27 January 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  3. ^ Christopher J. Castelli (September 2008). "Department of Defense to equip Lebanon's Special Forces with Small Arms, Vehicles" (PDF). DISAM Journal. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-27. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  4. ^ Daniel Watters. "The 5.56 X 45mm: 2008". The Gun Zone. Archived from the original on 2010-01-04. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  5. ^ "Report: Profiling the Small Arms Industry – World Policy Institute – Research Project". World Policy Institute. November 2000. Archived from the original on 2017-10-11. Retrieved 2010-07-15.
  6. ^ McNab, Chris (2002). 20th Century Military Uniforms (2nd ed.). Kent: Grange Books. ISBN 1-84013-476-3.
  7. ^ Thomas Smith Jr., W. (October 10, 2007). "Black-Masked Commandos Training By The Sea". National Review. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
  8. ^ "Mk.153 SMAW Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  9. ^ a b laf-digest.blogspot.com/2017/05/laf-receives-15-vab-hot-and-hundreds-of.html
  10. ^ "Security assistance enterprise delivers to Lebanese troops". Archived from the original on 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
  11. ^ The Military Balance 2023. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2023. ISBN 978-1-000-91073-5.
  12. ^ The Military Balance 2024. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2024. ISBN 978-1-040-05115-3.
  13. ^ "كاسحة الألغامالجيش يتسلم كاسحة ألغام هبة من حكومة النروج". August 2005. Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  14. ^ "كاسحة الألغام "Armtrac" في تجربة تدليلية". April 2006. Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  15. ^ افتتاح المشبّه التكتي. Lebanese Army Magazine (in Arabic). August 2006. Archived from the original on 2019-12-13. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  16. ^ خبراء فرنسيون زاروا كلية فؤاد شهاب في مهمة حول المشبه التكتي. Lebanese Army Magazine (in Arabic). August 2006. Archived from the original on 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  17. ^ المشبّه التكتي. Lebanese Army Magazine (in Arabic). October 2005. Archived from the original on 2019-12-13. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  18. ^ "Cubic to Provide Small-Arms Trainers to New International Customers". Newsroom. Cubic Corporation. October 1, 2009. Archived from the original on 2 February 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  19. ^ office_zzam (2018-11-27). "Second batch of French VAB HOT Mephisto antitank armored vehicles deli". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  20. ^ "UK donates equipment to the Lebanese Army". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  21. ^ "Lebanon: Army receives US-donated helicopters worth $32 million | the National". 14 February 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-02-14. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  22. ^ "The Handover ceremony of equipment presented as a donation from the US authorities to the Lebanese Army". Archived from the original on 2015-02-10. Retrieved 2015-02-10.
  23. ^ "الجيش اللبناني يتسلّم مساعدات عسكرية بريطانية". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-12-15.
  24. ^ "More New Comers to the LAF". milinme.wordpress. August 17, 2013. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  25. ^ "La France donne des équipements à l'armée libanaise - cérémonie à la base aérienne de Beyrouth". Ambassade de France à Beyrouth. August 13, 2013. Archived from the original on January 5, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  26. ^ "تسلّم مدافع وأعتدة وذخائر مختلفة". Lebanese Army News. Lebanese Army. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
  27. ^ "De Crem confirms the delivery of ex-Belgian AIFVs and M-113 Ambulances" (in Dutch and English). Belgian House of Representatives. January 6, 2010. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
  28. ^ "U.S. Government Provides Tactical Vehicles to the Lebanese Armed Forces". Press releases 2009. Embassy of the United States - Lebanon. March 25, 2009. Archived from the original on August 23, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  29. ^ "Lebanese Army purchases Kawasaki ATVs from RYMCO". Rymco. March 20, 2009. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2009.
  30. ^ "U.S. Government Provides Humvees to the Lebanese Armed Forces". Press Releases 2009. Embassy of the United States - Beirut, Lebanon. January 13, 2009. Archived from the original on January 20, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-18.
  31. ^ Garamone, Jim (December 1, 2008). "U.S. Forces Help Lebanese Military Assert Control". American Forces Press Service - DefenseLink News. Archived from the original on 2009-11-30. Retrieved 2008-12-10.
  32. ^ حفل تسلّم آليات عسكرية تقدمة من دولة هولندا (in Arabic). Lebanese Armed Forces. May 2008. Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2008-12-19.