United States approves potential sale of 140 military vehicles to Lebanon for $34.5 million

The U.S. State Department announced Tuesday it has approved a potential military sale to Lebanon involving 140 M1151A1 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) and associated equipment, at an estimated cost of $34.5 million, according to a statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

According to the DSCA, Lebanon initially requested 50 HMMWVs in a first application valued at $12.26 million, then requested 90 additional vehicles, bringing the total to 140 HMMWVs. The sale also includes non-defense articles (non-MDE), such as handheld radios, GPS receivers, and training, logistics, and engineering services provided by the U.S. government and contractors.

"This sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that remains an important force for political and economic stability in the Middle East," the statement said.

The DSCA specifies that these vehicles will allow the Lebanese Army to "respond quickly to perimeter security threats and effectively implement anti-terrorism and counter-terrorism measures." The sale will also provide "additional opportunities for tactical and operational training between the U.S. Army and the Lebanese Army, for both officers and soldiers."

The statement adds that this sale "will not alter the basic military balance in the region."

Finally, the DSCA notes that this operation "will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. government or contractor representatives to Lebanon" and will have "no adverse impact on the operational readiness of U.S. forces."

Less than two weeks ago, the State Department had also approved the potential sale of medium tactical vehicles to Lebanon, for more than $90 million.