United States Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard spoke today at the delivery of Bradley Fighting Vehicles and armored field artillery ammunition supply vehicles to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

“These are the very first of a total shipment of 32 Bradleys that will be delivered in the coming months.  This contribution to the Lebanese Armed Forces represents an investment of over 100 million dollars. It will provide the Lebanese Armed Forces with new capabilities to protect Lebanon, to protect its borders, and to fight terrorists.” said Ambassador Elizabeth Richard.

The eight M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles – an armored personnel carrier and gun platform – came as part of ongoing U.S. support to boost the capabilities of the Lebanese Army.

Over the next several months, the Army will undergo intensive training on how to operate and maintain this new, very sophisticated combat system.

Richard said that in the past 12 months alone; the United States has provided the following defense articles to the Lebanese Army:

• 40 M198 howitzers
• 50 armored Humvees
• an Armed Cessna aircraft with hellfire missiles
• 55 mortar systems
• 50 Mark-19 automatic grenade launchers
• 1100 machine guns, including 800  50 caliber machine guns
• 4,000 M4 rifles
• Over half a million rounds of ammunition
• 320 night vision devices and thermal sights
• 360 secure communication radios

America’s support for Lebanon is based on the shared interests of the American people and the Lebanese people.

The Bradley Fighting Vehicle is a lightly armored, fully tracked transport vehicle that provides cross-country mobility, mounted firepower and protection from artillery and small-arms fire. It is used in mechanized infantry and armored cavalry combat.