US approves possible FMS to Lebanon for six A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft

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World Defense & Security News - Lebanon
 
 
 
US approves possible FMS to Lebanon for six A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft
 
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon for A-29 Super Tucano Aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $462 million, the US Defense Security and Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced today June 10.
     
Two A-29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft from the Brazilian Air Force
     
The Government of Lebanon has requested a possible sale of six (6) A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, eight (8) PT6A-68A Turboprop engines (6 installed and 2 spares), eight (8) ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispensing Systems, two thousand (2000) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems, eight (8) AN/AAR-60(V)2 Missile Launch Detection Systems, non-SAASM Embedded Global Positioning System/Initial Navigation System (EGIs), spare and repair parts, flight testing, maintenance support, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, ferry support, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $462 million.

"This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by providing Lebanon with airborne capabilities needed to maintain internal security, enforce United Nation’s Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701, and counter terrorist threats," said the DSCA.

"The proposed sale of these aircraft will provide Lebanon with a much needed Close Air Support (CAS) platform to meet present and future challenges posed by internal and border security threats," added the DSCA.

The principal contractors will be Sierra Nevada Corporation Centennial, Colorado; BAE Systems Nashua, New Hampshire; Pratt & Whitney East Hartford, Connecticut; Terma North America Arlington, Virginia; and L-3COM Systems West Salt Lake City, Utah.

The weapons sales come as the multi-sectarian Lebanon seeks to insulate itself from the civil war in neighboring Syria.

Media reports suggest rebels have used the country to funnel men and weapons to battle against the Syrian regime, while the Lebanese militia and political party Hezbollah is actively fighting on the side of the Syrian regime against rebels and the Islamic State.

There has also been occasional fighting between Islamist rebels and the Lebanese military.