US Approves $90.5 Million Sale of Tactical Vehicles to Lebanon

The US State Department has given its official approval for a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Lebanon for medium tactical vehicles and related equipment, estimated to cost $90.5 million. This notification from the Pentagon signals Washington’s continuing commitment to bolstering the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as a key pillar of stability and a counter-balance to non-state actors in the region, particularly the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Strengthening LAF Logistics and Stability
While the specific types and quantities of the medium tactical vehicles were not immediately detailed in the announcement, prior US assistance programs to the LAF have included vehicles from the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) series, which encompass 2.5-ton and 5-ton trucks. These vehicles are vital for military logistics, including the transport of troops, supplies, and heavy equipment, as well as providing support for humanitarian relief operations.
The rationale provided by the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) for the sale typically emphasizes the goal of improving the security of a partner country that remains an important force for political stability in the Middle East. The sale is designed to enhance the LAF’s ability to:
* Move Troops and Supplies: Improve logistical capacity across the country to secure its borders and maintain internal stability.
* Counter Extremist Organizations: Provide better mobility to counter violent extremist groups.
The US consistently views the LAF as the legitimate, sovereign security institution in Lebanon, and military aid packages like this are crucial signals of confidence, especially given Lebanon’s severe economic crisis, which has critically degraded the military’s budget and operational capacity.
Consistent US Aid Despite Political Tensions
This military aid package is the latest in a series of substantial transfers and sales to the Lebanese Armed Forces. Previous packages have included:
* Aircraft Sustainment: A recent $100 million sale for the sustainment of Lebanon’s A-29 Super Tucano aircraft fleet.
* Direct Financial Aid: Prior allocations have provided hundreds of millions of dollars to the LAF and the Internal Security Forces (ISF) for equipment, training, and direct financial support, often making an exception to broader US aid freezes.
The consistent flow of US security assistance, often bypassing political gridlock, highlights Washington’s strategic priority to strengthen the LAF’s institutional capacity. This support is particularly important as the LAF is responsible for upholding agreements, such as the cessation of hostilities with Israel, by deploying to southern Lebanon and working to contain or dismantle the military infrastructure of non-state groups. The $90.5 million vehicle sale further cements the LAF’s ability to fulfill its mandate as the primary guarantor of Lebanese sovereignty.