The Lebanese Air Force earlier this week took delivery of additional six MD-530F+ light attack helicopters from the US amounting to $40 million.
A Brief Look at MD-530F+ Light Attack Helicopter
- MD-530F+ light attack helicopters come with mounted, advanced precision kill weapon system.
- The aircraft is designed to enhance scout attack as well as close air attack capabilities.
- The aircraft features 62mm ballistic armor protection, FN Herstal .50 caliber machine gun pods, M260 7-shot rocket pods, laser designators, and Harris Falcon III radios.
- The aircraft also comes with an all-glass cockpit that features Genesys Aerosystems LCD primary displays, Ares weapons management system, and Tek Fusion mission management system.
The acquisition of additional MD-530F+ light attack helicopters will greatly bolster Lebanese Air Force defense capabilities notably, along the volatile border with Syria.
Lebanon currently has a total of 12 MD-530F+ helicopters. The first batch of six arrived at Beirut Air Base in October. U.S. has pledged continuous military cooperation and assistance to Lebanon in an effort to bolster the country’s military assets and subsequently preparing them against combating Islamist militant’s threat especially from troubled Syria.
