The Lebanese Army formally received 39 VAB (Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé) armoured personnel carriers at a ceremonial handover in Beirut port, reaffirming France’s sustained commitment to bolstering the operational capacity of Lebanon’s military institution amid escalating regional security challenges.
The ceremony was attended by Alice Ruffo, Minister Delegate to the French Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans’ Affairs, French Ambassador Hervé Magro, and General Hassan Awwad, Chief of Staff representing Commander-in-Chief General Rudolph Hickel, alongside senior military officers. The event underscored the deepening bilateral defence partnership between Paris and Beirut at a critical juncture for Lebanon’s internal stability.
In her remarks, Ruffo emphasised the “close relationship between the Lebanese and French armed forces,” commending the Lebanese Army’s stabilising role during Lebanon’s exceptional period of internal challenge. She stressed that “France firmly believes in the armed forces as the primary guarantor of Lebanon’s security and stability,” pledging continued French support for the Lebanese military institution despite accelerating regional pressures.
General Awwad responded by expressing the Lebanese Army’s deep appreciation for French solidarity. “We highly value France’s steadfast support for Lebanon and commend its valuable initiative to strengthen our military, even amid the rapidly intensifying challenges facing the region,” he stated. He characterised the aid package as tangible proof of the enduring bilateral relationship and France’s unwavering commitment to Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The VAB delivery represents part of a broader modernisation agenda for the Lebanese Army’s ground mobility and force protection capabilities. The VAB platform, engineered by French defence manufacturer Renault Trucks Defense, stands as one of the world’s most widely deployed armoured vehicles, combining robust ballistic and blast protection with exceptional tactical mobility—qualities essential for operations across urban and rural environments.
Awwad highlighted that the supply “embodies the depth of bilateral relations, reaffirms France’s commitment to Lebanon’s security and stability, and strengthens the armed forces’ capacity to execute its operational mandates.” The ceremony concluded with a formal letter of appreciation from Awwad to Ruffo, acknowledging France’s instrumental role in sustaining Lebanese military capability development.
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