The US State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale worth $462m to Lebanon for A-29 Super Tucano Aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress about the possible sale.
Under this proposed sale, Lebanon will receive six A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, eight PT6A-68A Turboprop engines, eight ALE-47 countermeasure dispensing systems, 2000 advanced precision kill weapon systems and eight AN/AAR-60(V)2 missile launch detection systems.
The deal will also see the delivery of non-selective Availability Anti-spoofing Module (SAASM) embedded global positioning system / initial navigation system (EGIs), spare and repair parts, flight testing, maintenance support, and support equipment.
In addition, the delivery will cover publications and technical documentation, ferry support, personnel training and training equipment, US Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, as well as other related elements of logistics support.
The purchase of these aircraft will benefit Lebanon with Close Air Support (CAS) platform that will enable the country to meet present and future challenges posed by internal and border security threats.
This new deal will help the US to support Lebanon with airborne capabilities that are required to maintain internal security, enforce United Nation’s Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701, and counter terrorist threats.
Principal contractors for this proposed deal will be Sierra Nevada Corporation Centennial, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Terma North America and L-3COM Systems.
The A-29 Super Tucano Aircraft or Embraer EMB 314 is an enhanced version, with faster speed and higher altitude, of the EMB-312 Tucano trainer aircraft.
The aircraft is armed with two wing-mounted 12.7mm machine guns with a rate of fire of 1,100 rounds a minute and is capable of carrying general-purpose bombs and guided air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.
Image: The USAF’s Super Tucano at Moody Air Force Base. Photo: courtesy of US Air Force.
