US approves $100 million aircraft sustainment deal for Lebanon

The US State Department has approved a potential foreign military sale to Lebanon involving the sustainment of A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft and related equipment, valued at an estimated $100 million, according to a Pentagon statement issued on July 11.

The proposed package includes maintenance support, spare parts, logistics services, and training to sustain Lebanon’s existing fleet of A-29s, which were originally supplied by the United States under a previous security assistance programme, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

Manufactured by Embraer and modified by Sierra Nevada Corporation for the US market, the A-29 Super Tucano is a versatile, turboprop-powered aircraft used for pilot training, reconnaissance, and light combat operations. The platform is well-suited for counterinsurgency and border patrol missions, particularly in rugged terrain.

The announcement comes just days after US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack visited Beirut for high-level discussions with Lebanese officials.

By Vugar Khalilov