{"id":35634,"date":"2021-06-09T18:10:08","date_gmt":"2021-06-09T18:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2021\/06\/09\/lebanons-navy-chief-talks-fleet-expansion-new-security-missions\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:53:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:53:21","slug":"lebanons-navy-chief-talks-fleet-expansion-new-security-missions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/interviews\/2021\/06\/09\/lebanons-navy-chief-talks-fleet-expansion-new-security-missions\/","title":{"rendered":"Lebanon\u2019s Navy chief talks fleet expansion, new security missions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BEIRUT \u2014 Lebanon\u2019s sole coastline along the Mediterranean Sea is about 150 miles, and its Navy is largely tasked with protecting the country\u2019s exclusive economic zone. But with the government becoming more interested in oil exploration, the maritime service may have to bolster its security capabilities. Some of that can be accomplished through foreign aid<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. State Department<\/a>, the American government provided Lebanon in fiscal 2020 with $216 million in military grant assistance. This included $105 million in foreign military financing, $3 million in international military education and training, and $108 million in funding authorized by the Pentagon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defense News recently spoke with the Lebanese Navy\u2019s commander, Senior Capt. Haissam Dannaoui, about the service\u2019s plan to restructure its fleet<\/a>, securing the coastline, and prepare to counter asymmetric threats amid the country\u2019s oil exploration. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the latest project the Lebanese Navy is working on, and how are the discussions going to procure four French and two Italian warships?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ever since it was launched, the Lebanese Navy has worked to develop its combat and logistic capabilities in line with the nature of the tasks entrusted to it, through the allocated budget by the Army Command or through donations and aid provided by friendly countries. Coordination is ongoing with French shipbuilders to supply Lebanon with four offshore patrol vessels, each of which has a length of between 65 and 75 meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the Navy is working on multiple developing programs. The project to develop the radar network to improve our capabilities in monitoring Lebanon\u2019s territorial waters is implemented on several phases. Two phases were previously implemented, and the third and fourth phases remain. Phase 3 includes the development of the information transmission network and the installation of higher-capacity radars as well as thermal cameras. Phase 4 involves opening offers and obtaining approvals, including installing panels to generate electricity from solar energy instead of generators and constructing new buildings for radar surveillance along the Lebanese coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Senior Capt. Haissam Dannaoui is the head of Lebanon’s Navy. (Courtesy of the Lebanese Armed Forces)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We are also working on a project to build a new naval base in Beirut, which includes the construction of a new building, a kitchen, a number of workshops and modern infrastructure. The coordination and specifications phase has ended, and the foundation stage has begun. This project is expected to be completed within a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the construction of infrastructure, the work was divided into two phases: The first includes providing berths 1 and 2 with advanced infrastructure, and the second phase includes all berths at the Beirut Naval Base, where a new electricity network and an advanced firefighting system will be installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also have a project to build a search-and-rescue center within the Beirut Naval Base. Its objective is to develop the capabilities of the Army with regard to maritime search, and to carry out rescue operations for people, boats and ships. Adding to this, our projects include establishing a new building affiliated to the naval forces school, which is concerned with training the apprentices of the naval force\u2019s officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What vessels will the Navy receive as a part of military aid in the near future?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the beginning of the security and military aids program between the American and Lebanese armies, it has been agreed that this assistance will include the naval force in order to raise operational readiness. In this context, we have received a donation from the United States, which is 18 rigid hull inflatable speed boats in the SAFE 44 variant<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Navy doing to secure the Lebanese coast, and how does the service contribute to maintaining maritime security?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lebanese Navy is the only force capable and authorized to work to extend the authority of the state in the Lebanese territorial waters and coast. In this context, it is carrying out a series of sensitive and simultaneous missions, despite its currently modest capabilities, which we hope to develop in the future in compliance with the upcoming tasks at the national level, especially with regard to gas extraction from Lebanese waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most important tasks we are currently carrying out are monitoring the trade fleets by inspecting suspicious ships; monitoring fishing boats and implementing marine fishing law in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture; combating smuggling of all kinds \u2014 goods, weapons, contraband, illegal immigration); search-and-rescue operations; and combating marine pollution.<\/p>\n\n\n\t