Lebanese Armed Forces
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| Lebanese Armed Forces
Military manpower
| Military age | 18-30 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 6 months (2005)
| Availability | males age 18-49: 974,363 (2005 est.)
| Fit for military service | males age 18-49: 821,762 (2005 est.)
| Active troops | 75,000
| Military expenditures
| Amount | $540.6 million (2002) (2004)
| Percent of GDP | 3.1% (FY99) (2004)
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The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) consists of three branches:
- Lebanese Army
- Lebanese Air Force
- Lebanese Navy
General Overview
The Lebanese Armed Forces' primary missions include maintaining security and stability in the country, guarding the country's borders, port security, relief operations, rescue operations, fire fighting, and fighting drug smuggling.All three branches are operated and coordinated by LAF Command, which is located in Yarzeh, just east of the capital, Beirut.
There are a total of six military colleges and schools in the country. Some cadets may be sent to other countries to receive additional training.
The equipment inventory of the Lebanese Armed Forces is approximately 85% US-made with the remaining being British, French, and Soviet-made.
Lebanese Army
The Lebanese Army is made up of:
- 5 Regional Commands
- 11 Mechanized brigades
- 1 Republican Guard brigade
- 1 Commando regiment
- 5 Special Forces regiments
- 1 Airborne regiment
- 1 Navy Commando regiment
- 2 Artillery regiments
The army's equipment includes:
- approximately 700 US-made Ford Motor Company M-113 armored personnel carriers
- 100 US-made M-48 A1/A5 medium tanks
- 200 Soviet-made T-54/T-55 medium tanks
- 40 French-made AMX-13 light tanks
Lebanese Air Force
The air force currently lacks any operational fixed wing aircraft. Active aircraft include ex-US Army helicopters, which are used throughout the country on a variety of missions:The air force recently acquired 4 brand new Robinson helicopters, which are used for training purposes. They are based at Rayak Air Base in the eastern part of the country.
Lebanese Navy
The Lebanese Navy is responsible for protecting Lebanon's waters, protecting ports, and fighting illegal smuggling of goods.Equipment includes:
- 5 British-made ATTACKER-class patrol boats
- 2 British-made TRACKER-class patrol boats
- 2 French-made EDIC-class landing crafts
Conscription
Lebanon previously had mandatory military service of one year for men. On May 4, 2005, a new conscription system was adopted, making for a six-month service, and pledging to end conscription within two years.Future
The government of Lebanon has contracted the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Jordan, and Egypt to assess Lebanon's military and security infrastructure to develop reform programs in the near future.With the departure of Syrian troops in April 2005, the government has made it a priority to modernize and upgrade the military and security forces. As of mid-July 2006 however, Lebanon is under heavy air and sea attack by Israeli forces (to destroy Hezbolla and free two kidnapped Israeli soldiers) and the LAF does not seem to be taking any noticebale action to defend the nation from the military campaign against it.
External links
- [Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)]
- [Global Defense News, Military Pictures and Discussions] @ Defence Talk.com
- [Lebanon Military Guide from GlobalSecurity.org]
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