Russian MiGs to Lebanon? And Israeli UAVs to Russia?

Reader UJ points out two stories linking Russia and the Middle East this week:

1. Russia appears to have offered Lebanon 10 MiG-29 'Fulcrum' fighter jets. While this craft dates back to the 1970s, it would be a significant improvement on "Lebanon’s depleted and antiquated fixed wing fleet, which today is comprised of some five 1950s-era Hunter Hawker aircraft."


2. Russia is, in turn, in the market for Israeli UAVs.

What's going on? It's surprising that the US and Israel haven't made more fuss about Lebanon's acquisition of Russian MiGs, but our take is that with all eyes on isolating Iran the strategy may be to just let this one be. Furthermore, as the Counterterrorism Blog points out, "it’s hard to imagine how the LAF would finance the maintenance of the Russian aircraft." As for the UAV sale? I can't imagine the US allowing it, but Counterterrorism Blog (in the same piece) is positing that "the Israelis are hoping the UAV sales provide some leverage in helping to convince the Russians to not sell advanced SA-20 anti-aircraft weapons to Iran." Complicated enough?

[Photo via Wikimedia]

Comments

[Dave]

While this craft dates back to the 1970s, it would be a significant improvement on “Lebanon’s depleted and antiquated fixed wing fleet, which today is comprised of some five 1950s-era Hunter Hawker aircraft.”
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The F-15 and the F-16 are also 1970s aircraft. The Mig 29 is in the same class/generation of fighter jets. The US provides military aid/equipment to Lebanon.

[UJ]

Here's more...

Danger Room discusses the motivations for Russia's UAV purchase http://tinyurl.com/5twe9z

Beirut Springs (March 14 aligned) poo-poos the idea of MiGs in Lebanon http://tinyurl.com/83m58z

Naval OSINT has a (alleged) response by the US - Tanks for the Lebanese Army http://tinyurl.com/9bzlen

[Nicky2nd]

As a Lebanese, I say it is good that we received those planes because our AF is so bad and those Hawkers Hunters are unreliable. In case we receive another surprise related to integrists (Like the one in the north of Lebanon last year) those planes might be useful.

If the Lebanese govermnent need to be in charge of the country and not leaving it to different political militia, we need to reinforce our army.

Already dissolving militia in Lebanon is almost impossible because militia are more equiped then our army.

I really hope that we will have a real, welll equiped army one day that will be able to take over the country and control it in a decent manner or else, sadly as it looks, we are never going to be able to live a decent life.

Hope that all this never ending meaningless war will end one day.