US approves a $245 mn FMS to Lebanon for 1,500 TOW 2A missiles 22307151

Defence & Security News - Lebanon
 
US approves a $245 mn FMS to Lebanon for 1,500 TOW 2A missiles
The United States State Department has approved yesterday, July 22nd, a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon for TOW 2A Missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $245 million. The principal contractor will be The Raytheon Company in Andover, Massachusetts.
     
US approves a 245 mn FMS to Lebanon for 1 500 TOW 2A anti armor missiles 640 001A TOW 2A missile hurtles out of its launcher mounted on a Humvee during a Lebanese army drill in Taybeh, Wednesday, June 10, 2015 (The Daily Star/Mohammad Azakir)
     
The Government of Lebanon has requested a possible sale of one thousand (1000) BGM-71E-4B-RF Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wireless-guided (TOW) 2A Anti-Armor Radio-Frequency missiles, five hundred (500) BGM-71-H-1-RF TOW Bunker Buster Radio Frequency (RF) missiles, fifty (50) M220A2 TOW launchers, containers, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor logistics and technical support services, and other related elements of program and logistics support. The estimated cost is $245 million.
 

"The proposed sale of TOW missiles will improve Lebanon’s capability to meet current and future threats and provide greater security for its critical infrastructure. Lebanon will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense," said the US Defense Security and Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

The TOW 2A is equipped with a tandem warhead. A small disrupter charge detonates the reactive armour and allows the main shaped charge to penetrate the main armour. The 'bunker buster' variant of the TOW 2A, to defeat field fortifications, bunkers and urban structures, has been developed and fielded by the US Army. The TOW 2A bunker buster has a range of 3,750m.