Lebanese navy
Encyclopedia
The Lebanese Navy is the Navy
of the Lebanese Armed Forces
. It was formed in 1950 and based in Beirut Naval Base
, Lebanon’s first naval base. The navy, which currently lacks the proper number of equipment, has a number of approximately 50 vessels of various sizes and roles; however, the navy is trying to modernize itself, and increase its size. The flag of the Lebanese navy depicts a Phoenicia
n ship with the Lebanese Cedar
tree, positioned on an anchor above the Arabic inscription of the navy's name.
The Lebanese government approved on January 16, 2009 a request by the Lebanese Ministry of Defense
to build a new naval base on the shores of Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon.
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm65/zaher1988-2/exer2.jpg
The UAE promised to donate three more patrol boats the Lebanese Navy, the type and equipment are still unknown. The United States promised to deliver one 42m blue-water CSC-137 Class-1 patrol craft.
, Sidon
, and Tyre were established, followed by upgrades and new stations in 1997. However, during War 2006 all of stations were bombed by the Israeli Navy. After the war ended, Germany
and Lebanon signed a bilateral agreement to establish The Coastal Radar Organization (CRO) which aimed to create and consolidate a chain of seven coastal radar stations with the ability to cover the entire Mediterranean coast of Lebanon. Three of these stations are older and were refurbished with new equipment and facilities; the four other are new installations.
. Each country offers different training depending on the specializations of each officer. Officers sent to the United States have undergone schooling in surface warfare and experienced on job training with the US Coast Guard. Many Lebanese Naval Forces Engineers head to France
where they receive education regarding detection, transmission, and artillery. Skills used in much of the domestic duties of the Lebanese Naval Forces from initial staff courses, amphibious training, and maritime drug enforcement are taught at British academies.
is helping the Lebanese Navy to enhance the skills of its personnel through the periodical joint exercises and daily cooperation. Upon the arrival of the MTF to the region (after the 2006 Lebanon War), the Lebanese Navy began jointly working with the navy in lead, which at the time was the Italian Navy
, in order to insure a successful outcome to the assigned peace operation.
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
of the Lebanese Armed Forces
Lebanese Armed Forces
The Lebanese Armed Forces or Forces Armées Libanaises in French, also known as the Lebanese Army according to its official Website The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) (Arabic: القوات المسلحة اللبنانية | Al-Quwwāt al-Musallaḥa al-Lubnāniyya) or Forces Armées Libanaises in French, also known as the...
. It was formed in 1950 and based in Beirut Naval Base
Beirut Naval Base
Beirut Naval Base is the first naval base and the headquarters of the Lebanese Navy, established in 1950. The base comprises a part of Port of Beirut....
, Lebanon’s first naval base. The navy, which currently lacks the proper number of equipment, has a number of approximately 50 vessels of various sizes and roles; however, the navy is trying to modernize itself, and increase its size. The flag of the Lebanese navy depicts a Phoenicia
Phoenicia
Phoenicia , was an ancient civilization in Canaan which covered most of the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent. Several major Phoenician cities were built on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550...
n ship with the Lebanese Cedar
Lebanon Cedar
Cedrus libani is a species of cedar native to the mountains of the Mediterranean region.There are two distinct types that are considered to be different subspecies or varieties. Lebanon cedar or Cedar of Lebanon Cedrus libani is a species of cedar native to the mountains of the Mediterranean...
tree, positioned on an anchor above the Arabic inscription of the navy's name.
The Lebanese government approved on January 16, 2009 a request by the Lebanese Ministry of Defense
Ministry of National Defense (Lebanon)
The Ministry of National Defense is Lebanon's service section for the Lebanese Armed Forces which directs the entire Army. The Ministry is located in Yarzeh, Baabda, Mount Lebanon...
to build a new naval base on the shores of Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon.
Equipment and Systems
http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/upload/img_400/FX06_0941E_6027.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm65/zaher1988-2/exer2.jpg
| Type | Class | Country of Origin | Details | Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrol boats | ? | Germany | 41 - Amchit - 34 meters (ex-Bremen 2) | |
| Avel Gwalarn Class | France | 43 - Al-Kalamoun - 30.35 meters (ex-DF 41) | ||
| Class 905 | Germany | 42 - Tabarja - 28 meters (ex-Y838 Bergen) | ||
| Fassmer FFPB 20 | Germany | 308 - Nakoura - 20 meters (ex-Bremen 9) | ||
| Tracker class | United Kingdom | 307 - Sarafand | ||
| 303 - Batroun | ||||
| Attacker class Attacker class patrol boat The Attacker class is a class of patrol boats. Formerly operated by the Royal Navy and the HM Customs, seven of the class are currently operated by the Lebanese Navy and two by Lebanese Customs... |
United Kingdom | 301 - Trablous | ||
| 302 - Jounieh | ||||
| 304 - Jbeil | ||||
| 305 - Beirut | ||||
| 306 - Saida | ||||
| Medium Yacht (Captured from a drug smuggler) | ? | 501 - Imanuella | ||
| Watercraft 45 ft | United Kingdom | 13.7 meters CPC | 4 | |
| Fast intercept boats | ? | United Arab Emirates | 12 meters | 6 |
| ? | 16 meters | 4 | ||
| Phenix 55 FPB | Lebanon | Sannine, 46 knots | 1 | |
| Landing craft Landing craft Landing craft are boats and seagoing vessels used to convey a landing force from the sea to the shore during an amphibious assault. Most renowned are those used to storm the beaches of Normandy, the Mediterranean, and many Pacific islands during WWII... |
EDIC-III Class (59 meters LCU-LCT) | France | 21 - Sour | |
| 22 - Damour | ||||
| Combat support boats | MK2 | United Kingdom | 8.24 Meters CSB/BEB | 27 |
The UAE promised to donate three more patrol boats the Lebanese Navy, the type and equipment are still unknown. The United States promised to deliver one 42m blue-water CSC-137 Class-1 patrol craft.
Past Vessels
| Type | Class/Country of Origin | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large patrol craft boats | France | 1959 | 1991 | 31 - Tarablous |
| Coastal patrol craft | Byblos class / France | 1955 | 1991 | 11 - Byblos |
| 1955 | 1991 | 12 - Sidon | ||
| 1955 | 1991 | 13 - Beirut |
Coastal Radar Stations
The Lebanese Navy is in charge of the coastal radar stations, in 1992, three stations in all of TripoliTripoli, Lebanon
Tripoli is the largest city in northern Lebanon and the second-largest city in Lebanon. Situated 85 km north of the capital Beirut, Tripoli is the capital of the North Governorate and the Tripoli District. Geographically located on the east of the Mediterranean, the city's history dates back...
, Sidon
Sidon
Sidon or Saïda is the third-largest city in Lebanon. It is located in the South Governorate of Lebanon, on the Mediterranean coast, about 40 km north of Tyre and 40 km south of the capital Beirut. In Genesis, Sidon is the son of Canaan the grandson of Noah...
, and Tyre were established, followed by upgrades and new stations in 1997. However, during War 2006 all of stations were bombed by the Israeli Navy. After the war ended, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Lebanon signed a bilateral agreement to establish The Coastal Radar Organization (CRO) which aimed to create and consolidate a chain of seven coastal radar stations with the ability to cover the entire Mediterranean coast of Lebanon. Three of these stations are older and were refurbished with new equipment and facilities; the four other are new installations.
Surveillance
In February, 2008, the Lebanese navy ordered six Pharos XLR3+ Long Range Multisensor Surveillance Platforms in order to equip their naval stations which lack 24/7 long-range surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in all weather conditions.Training
The Lebanese Naval Forces send nearly all of their Navy officers for training abroad in a variety of European countries as well as the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Each country offers different training depending on the specializations of each officer. Officers sent to the United States have undergone schooling in surface warfare and experienced on job training with the US Coast Guard. Many Lebanese Naval Forces Engineers head to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
where they receive education regarding detection, transmission, and artillery. Skills used in much of the domestic duties of the Lebanese Naval Forces from initial staff courses, amphibious training, and maritime drug enforcement are taught at British academies.
Cooperation with the UNIFIL MTF
The existence of the UNIFIL Maritime Task ForceUnited Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, was created by the United Nations, with the adoption of Security Council Resolution 425 and 426 on 19 March 1978, to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon which Israel had invaded five days prior, restore international peace and security,...
is helping the Lebanese Navy to enhance the skills of its personnel through the periodical joint exercises and daily cooperation. Upon the arrival of the MTF to the region (after the 2006 Lebanon War), the Lebanese Navy began jointly working with the navy in lead, which at the time was the Italian Navy
Marina Militare
The Italian Navy is the navy of the Italian Republic. It is one of the four branches of military forces of Italy; formed in 1946, from what remained of the Regia Marina . As of 2008, the Italian Navy had 35,200 active personnel with 180 commissioned ships, 19 Floating Docks, and 123 aircraft...
, in order to insure a successful outcome to the assigned peace operation.
Figures
- Admiral Émile LahoudÉmile LahoudGeneral Émile Jamil Lahoud is a former President of Lebanon. Lahoud is a Maronite-Catholic, as is required for the Lebanese presidency. Under Lebanon's unwritten constitutional agreement, the National Pact, the presidency is earmarked for Maronite_Catholic, the parliament speaker's post for a Shia...
who was elected the President of Lebanon in 1998.