Middle East Security
US Approves Armored Vehicle Deal for Lebanon in Bid to Counter Hezbollah
The $34.5 million package provides the Lebanese Army with 140 armored vehicles and advanced tech, as the White House signals that diplomatic efforts to disarm Hezbollah have hit a "dead end."
In a significant move to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) against Hezbollah, the Trump administration has approved the sale of 140 armored vehicles to Lebanon in a deal valued at $34.5 million. The package, which includes High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), marks a strategic shift as the White House acknowledges that diplomatic efforts to disarm Hezbollah have hit a "dead end."
The Pentagon confirmed that the sale goes beyond hardware; it is a comprehensive "all-inclusive" military package designed to enhance Lebanon’s rapid response capabilities. Alongside the vehicles, the Lebanese Army will receive advanced communication systems, GPS receivers, anti-electronic warfare technology, and extensive tactical training from US forces. The stated goal is to empower the LAF to dismantle non-state military infrastructures and secure the country’s borders.
This military aid comes amidst a pivot in Lebanese leadership. President Joseph Aoun has recently signaled a stronger alignment with Western values, issuing an unusually sharp condemnation of a recent terror attack in Sydney.
According to a senior White House official cited by Lebanese media, the strengthening of the official Lebanese military is now part of the "deterrence equation," as the US seeks to ensure that the Lebanese state, rather than Hezbollah, holds the keys to the country’s security and stability.