Lebanon may get old U.S. trainers

[unhappycamper]

Lebanon may get old U.S. trainers
By Riad Kahwaji - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Nov 13, 2007 18:38:01 EST

Beirut — 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.

“For some reason, U.S. policy does not permit providing Lebanon with offensive weapons, especially air power,” said a senior Lebanese military official. “But there is no problem with providing Lebanon with trainers, and hence we have decided to go for this option as a start.”

The LAF, which relies on aid from the United States and other nations, cannot seek new and advanced trainers on its limited budget.

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.

“About three TA-3 trainers would likely be made available to Lebanon in the near future, but we don’t really know when,” said the U.S. official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to give an interview. “We might be able to send another two or three TA-3s later on but cannot be sure at this stage.”

Another official at the State Department confirmed the possible TA-3 transfer to Lebanon and said this would be a modest but helpful start for Lebanon’s air capabilities.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/11/defense_lebanonbuy_071113/