BEIRUT: The Pentagon has notified the U.S. Congress of a possible sale of Huey II helicopters to Lebanon, after the State Department approved the long-stalled request.

"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon for Huey II rotary wing aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $180 million," the Defense Department's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement on Sept. 19.

The sale will include 18 U.S.-made Huey II helicopters, an upgraded version of the aging Huey I that the Lebanese Army currently operates. In 2012, Lebanon requested six of the new helicopters and received initial approval by the Pentagon, but the sale never went through. The Lebanese Army currently has one Huey II platform, which is an upgrade of the UH-1H helicopter to increase its operational and military capabilities.

"The Huey II will augment Lebanon's recently purchased Huey II aircraft, help replace its aging fleet of UH-1H aircraft and provide the Lebanese Armed Forces with mission-capable assets," the DSCA said.

Despite being a major provider of aid and equipment to the Lebanese Army, Washington has been reticent to provide advanced offensive capabilities to Lebanon over concerns of possible use in any future war with Israel. However, the State Department has signed off on the sale this time, suggesting that the helicopters will not be blocked by Israeli objections.

"The proposed sale of these vehicles and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," the statement said.

The United States has significantly stepped up its donation of vehicles, weapons and ammunition to Lebanon since the attack by ISIS and the Nusra Front on the border town of Arsal last month.

"The proposed sale of these aircraft will enable Lebanon to meet present and future challenges posed by internal and border security threats, evacuations, search and rescue, and drug interdiction operations," the DSCA said. “ Lebanon will have no difficulty absorbing these additional aircraft into its armed forces.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Leb...on-report.ashx