Lebanese Air Force
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The Lebanese Air Force is the air force branch of the Lebanese Armed Forces.
| Fighter Aircraft | Hawker Hunter FGA.70/FGA.70A (Up to four operational)[citation needed], | 22+ |
| Helicopters | Aérospatiale SA-342 Gazelle, Aérospatiale SA-318 Alouette II, Aérospatiale SA-319 Alouette III, Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma, UH-1H, UH-1N, Robinson R44 | 81+ |
| Trainers | Scottish Aviation Bulldog, Fouga Magister CM-170 | 10 |
| Transport | Gulfstream Turbo Commander 690A(Non-Operational), Falcon 20, de Havilland Dove(Non-Operational) | 10 |
The Lebanese Air Force had a total lack of fixed wing fighter aircraft capability from the early 1990's. Until then, the fighter force used to consist of 12 Hawker Hunters purchased between 1952 and 1958 and based in Rayak AFB under the 2nd squadron, as well as 16 Mirage III EL and BL purchased from France in 1968 and based in Beirut under the 5th squadron. Until August 2007, these fighters were mothballed out of active service due to their outdated technology, a lack of combat value, a lack of funds, and mostly due to political decisions at the time. The Mirage III were sold to Pakistan in 2000.[1] It was first reported in August 20th 2007 that at least four Hawker Hunters were successfully put back in service and pilots were being trained for bombing missions due to the difficulties faced in Nahr El Bared where militants were holed in underground bunkers. The Hunters are yet to be used in the conflict but have been reported to be in full operational status. The Hawker Hunters has not flown any combat sorties since September 17, 1983. This was during the period where the French and Americans were rebuilding the Lebanese army, and 3 F.Mk.70s were made airworthy, and started combat operations on September 15. Because the main airfield, Rayak Air Base had been shelled by Syrian forces, the Hunters had to operate from an airfield in Byblos. The last sortie was an attempt with French Super Etendards from the Clemenceau to attack Druze positions. One was shot down and the pilot barely managed to eject himself into the sea. The second Hunter was heavily damaged and made a forced landing at Byblos. The third did not return to the base but flew straight to Akrotiri, Cyprus, with the pilot eventually requesting political asylum.
It is worth noting that although the Air force has a fairly large number of helicopters for a small Air Force, only the UH-1H, Bell 212, Gazelle and R44 helicopters remain operational while all others remain in storage awaiting their overhaul into active duty. Thus the Lebanese Air Force consists of six squadrons, being the 2nd at Rayak AFB operating the Hawker Hunters, the 8th operating the Gazelles, the 10th and the 11th at Beirut AFB operating the UH-1, the 12th at Rayak AFB, operating some UH-1Hs on loan from Beirut AB, the 14th at Kleyate AFB, also operating the UH-1H on loan from Beirut AFB, and the 15th at Rayak AFB, operating the R44 Raven.
During the battle of Nahr el-Bared camp in North Lebanon, the Lebanese army, lacking fixed-wing aircraft, modified the UH-1H allowing it to carry 400lb. (250Kg) Mk.82 dumb bombs to strike the militant positions. Each Huey was equipped on each side with a special pads engineered by the Lebanese army, and attached to each was a dumb bomb. It is one of the very rare if not the only time where a helicopter is used to bomb in this fashion. The Lebanese army also made use of Gazelle helicopters equipped with Euromissile HOT missiles and machine guns pods.
Lebanese and American military officials may skirt policy restrictions to provide the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with old trainers and close-air-support helicopters, according to officials on both sides. An official at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut confirmed that of the few options considered, the best available trainer was the TA-3 Skywarrior. However, another Lebanese military official said the LAF command was still reviewing available options with the Americans. "In addition to the TA-3 Skywarrior, we are talking about other models, like the TA-4 Skyhawk," he said.
Lebanese and U.S. military officials said talks were under way to deal with the LAF request for attack helicopters, and the two options being considered are the AH-1 Cobra and the OH-58 Kiowa.
"The Cobra is the LAF first choice but might face an obstacle with existing policy restriction because it is designated as an attack helicopter," the U.S. Embassy official said. "The Kiowa, which is designated primarily as a reconnaissance helicopter with light attack capabilities, would be easier to pass the current export controls on Lebanon.
There are reports or rumors of Lebanon trying to buy JF-17 Thunder.