Lebanese Navy
Lebanese Navy القوات البحرية اللبنانية | |
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Flag of the Lebanese Navy | |
Active | 1950 - present |
Country | Lebanon |
Type | Navy |
Size |
5000 personnel 65 vessels |
Part of | Lebanese Armed Forces |
Headquarters | Beirut Naval Base |
Engagements |
|
Website |
lebarmy |
Commanders | |
Commander | Rear-Admiral Majed Alwan |
Insignia | |
Emblem |
The Lebanese Navy (Arabic: القوات البحرية اللبنانية Al-qūwātu al-Baḥriyya al-Lubnāniyya), literally "the Lebanese Sea Forces" 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 65 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 Phoenician 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.[2]
The role in marine conservation
Main article: Marine environmental issues in Lebanon
In Lebanon, marine conservation, marine pollution response and implementation of the international maritime conventions such as the international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships are the concern of the Lebanese navy, since it is the only state authority that can enforce the maritime law in both Lebanese exclusive economic zone and territorial waters.[3]
For the reason that:
- Lebanese navy do not recruit specialized officers with a high diploma in the maritime field. [4]
- The skills of the Lebanese Naval Forces are not incredibly diverse or necessarily advanced to the level of European countries due to their limited human resources and equipment.[5]
Lebanese Navy undergoes difficulties in accomplishing its enduring roles in maritime safety, security and marine environment stewardship.
Equipment and Systems
Current fleet list
Class | Type | Origin | In Service | Photos |
---|---|---|---|---|
Engin de débarquement d'infanterie et de chars (LOA 59,00 Meters) |
Landing craft | France | 21-Sour 22-Damour |
|
Advanced Multimission Platform AMP 145 (LOA 43.50 metres) |
Coastal Security Craft | United States | 44 - Trablous | |
34 meters patrol boat | Security boat (Sicherungsbooten) |
Germany | 42 - Amchit (ex-Bremen 2) |
|
Avel Gwalarn Class[6] (LOA 30.35 meters/28 knots) |
Speed-boat (Vedette) |
France | 43-Al-Kalamoun (ex-DF 41) |
|
Todendorf class (LOA 28,90 Meters) |
Security boat (Sicherungsbooten) |
Germany | 41-Tabarja (ex-Y838 Bergen) |
|
Fassmer FPB 20 (LOA 20,00 meters) |
Security boat (Sicherungsbooten) |
Germany | 308-Nakoura (ex-Bremen 9) |
|
Attacker class (LOA 20,00 meters) |
Boat | United Kingdom | 301-Trablous 302-Jounieh 304-Jbeil 305-Beirut 306-Saida 307-Sarafand |
|
Phenix 55 FPB[7] (17 meters/46 knots) |
Speed-boat | Lebanon | Sannine | |
Fast Intercept Boats | Speed-boat | United Arab Emirates | 4*16 meters 6*12 meters |
|
Medium Yacht (Captured from a drug smuggler) [8] | Boat | 501-Imanuella | ||
Watercraft 45 ft (13.7 meters) |
Boat | United Kingdom | 4 | |
Gun Boats [9] (11 meters) |
RHIB | United States | 8 | |
MK2 Bridge Erection Boat/ Combat Support Boats (8.24 meters) |
Boat | United Kingdom | 27 | |
On February 19, 2015 the Saudi press agency quoted on a Saudi official, that Saudi Arabia halted the $3 billion program for military supplies to Lebanon. Lebanese navy does not have any vessel operational and maneouvrable in difficult weather conditions and undergoes diffuculties in accomplishing its mission in Search and rescue, Marine safety, Marine environmental protection, Maritime law enforcement, and controlling illegal migrants fleeing to Europe and suffering casualties. Also, Lebanon intends to provide protection for the future natural gas installations and enforce the law and the State authority in Lebanese Territorial Waters. Lebanon count on the US military aid to be equipped with a multi-function vessel with a wide range of capabilities such as the RiverHawk OSV 60.
Coastal Radar Stations
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