In January 2005, they took delivery of 2 brand new Robinson R44 Raven II helicopters and an additional 2 in December which are used for training. I never thought of the Robinson R44 as a potential military training aircraft...
Also, does anyone know what the status of their AB-212 and SA-330s? I am not sure if there are any left or if they were all destroyed near the end of the civil war more than 15 years ago.
They also once had SA-342 attack helicopters, but I believe they were destroyed as well...
I know the government is planning to upgrade and modernize Lebanon's military with the assistance of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Jordan, and Egypt.
It will be interesting if fixed wing aircraft are reintroduced to the air force...
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
CX747 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 4385 posts, RR: 5 Reply 1, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 8743 times:
It is great to see the old Huey's sitting on a ramp ready to go! Hopefully the US Army chooses the Bell 412.
"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." D. Eisenhower
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29367 posts, RR: 61 Reply 2, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 8737 times:
Most people don't know that the lebonese have aquired a serious amount of military hardware from the US, mostly surplus stuff like the Hueys, but I have seen shots of CUCV's and 113's in service there.
And you thought that the Israelis and Saudis where the only ones in the Middle East the US sold equipment to.
OBAMA-WORST PRESIDENT EVER....Even SKOORB would be better.
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11142 posts, RR: 61 Reply 3, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 8694 times:
Quoting L-188 (Reply 2): Most people don't know that the lebonese have aquired a serious amount of military hardware from the US, mostly surplus stuff like the Hueys, but I have seen shots of CUCV's and 113's in service there.
And you thought that the Israelis and Saudis where the only ones in the Middle East the US sold equipment to.
85% of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) arsenal is US-made with the remaining 15% being British, French, and Soviet-made.
However, keep in mind that Lebanon has the smallest and weakest military in the Middle East.
The equipment they have is very basic. The CUCVs they bought from the US just make me laugh. An old Chevrolet pick up truck painted in camoflage...
The M-113s I think are quite useful and they now have more than 700 of them.
They have about 100 old M-48 medium tanks, but these I believe were from the civil war during the US' involvement.
The M-113s, CUCVs, and UH-1s were all sold very cheaply and were designated by the Pentagon as "surplus."
They sell these to just about anybody who wants them.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29367 posts, RR: 61 Reply 4, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 8678 times:
Quoting BA (Reply 3): CUCVs they bought from the US just make me laugh. An old Chevrolet pick up truck painted in camoflage...
That is what we thought of them in the 1990's which is why they where well on their way out back then.
Funny thing is that it is still a front line truck with the Canadian forces, who apparently want to buy the CUCV-II, which is based off a more modern model year chevy truck
Quoting BA (Reply 3): The M-113s I think are quite useful and they now have more than 700 of them.
there is also a very significant population of US Army soldiers and anaylists who think the M113 would have been more suitable to Iraq then the Strykery vehicles that are now being fielded. It is lighter, smaller, doesn't have wheels that can be shot out, and the basic armour is thicker.
OBAMA-WORST PRESIDENT EVER....Even SKOORB would be better.
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11142 posts, RR: 61 Reply 5, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 8672 times:
Quoting L-188 (Reply 4): That is what we thought of them in the 1990's which is why they where well on their way out back then.
Funny thing is that it is still a front line truck with the Canadian forces, who apparently want to buy the CUCV-II, which is based off a more modern model year chevy truck
Seriously, what is the point of them? They are embarrassing to a military if you ask me.
Quoting L-188 (Reply 4): there is also a very significant population of US Army soldiers and anaylists who think the M113 would have been more suitable to Iraq then the Strykery vehicles that are now being fielded. It is lighter, smaller, doesn't have wheels that can be shot out, and the basic armour is thicker.
Interesting.
How active is the M-113 in the US Army nowadays? I know the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle was meant to replace it, but I imagine it is considerably more expensive than the M-113 making it not a very economical replacement for all situation?
Here are two Lebanese Army M-113 patroling the border with Syria in the eastern part of the semi-arid Bekaa Valley:
Let them get rid of the stupid CUCVs and get more M-113s.
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29367 posts, RR: 61 Reply 6, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 8665 times:
Quoting BA (Reply 5): Seriously, what is the point of them? They are embarrassing to a military if you ask me.
Every so often the US Military goes through a phase where they look at getting a civilian based vehicle for use thinking it will be cheaper to aquire, easier to find parts for, and do the job. The 1985 Chevy Pickup and Blazer where selected to become the CUCY or Commercial Utility Combat Vehicle. The US and State Forestry agencies have ended up with a lot of them as forest firefighting trucks.
Quoting BA (Reply 5): How active is the M-113 in the US Army nowadays?
There are still alot of them in roles such as motar carrier, ambulance, command post and the like. I don't think they have really come up with any Bradley vehicles specialized like that. And with all of the 113's that are being retired parts are easily aquired to keep the others running. Plus the 113 is still in production.
OBAMA-WORST PRESIDENT EVER....Even SKOORB would be better.
MD11Engineer From Germany, joined Oct 2003, 13369 posts, RR: 64 Reply 7, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 8653 times:
Quoting L-188 (Reply 4): Funny thing is that it is still a front line truck with the Canadian forces, who apparently want to buy the CUCV-II, which is based off a more modern model year chevy truck Big grin
The Norwegians only got rid of their WW2 vintage Dodge WC-51 trucks during the last 5 years (they are turning up on the collector's market in Europe now, I'd like to have one myself, unrestored they cost about 5000.- Euro)
Quoting L-188 (Reply 4): there is also a very significant population of US Army soldiers and anaylists who think the M113 would have been more suitable to Iraq then the Strykery vehicles that are now being fielded. It is lighter, smaller, doesn't have wheels that can be shot out, and the basic armour is thicker.
Wow. Never heard the M113's armour being referred to as being thicker than anything. Other than, possibly, a sardine can. I was under the impression that the 113 was made just sturdy enough to keep the dead bodies on the inside.
Quoting L-188 (Reply 4): Funny thing is that it is still a front line truck with the Canadian forces,
Um, are you sure about that?
Quoting BA (Thread starter): They also once had SA-342 attack helicopters, but I believe they were destroyed as well...
Hmm, are you sure they were actual Lebanese examples and not Syrian ones?
OD720 From Lebanon, joined Feb 2003, 1919 posts, RR: 36 Reply 12, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 8390 times:
Quoting BA (Reply 9): Do you know when they got them (M48)?
The first M48 A5s were delivered in mid 1983. Until then, the French AMX-13 light tank was the backbone of the army. And as the army was getting engaged in battles around Beirut, they felt the need for more powerful machinery and that's when US made howitzers and the M133s starting to arrive in large numbers.
Quoting LY744 (Reply 11): Hmm, are you sure they were actual Lebanese examples and not Syrian ones?
These were bought by the Lebanese Air Force before the Syrians took delivery of some as well.
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