State Dept. OKs TOW missile sale to Lebanon

WASHINGTON, July 22 (UPI) -- The possible sale of 1,500 TOW 2A missiles to Lebanon has been approved by the U.S. State Department.

The sale, under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, has an estimated value of $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," the U.S. Defense Cooperation Security Agency told Congress in its required notification. "Lebanon will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense."

DSCA is responsible for managing the FMS program.

The proposed sales package for Lebanon, which is bordered on the north and east by Syria, is for 1,000 anti-armor BGM-71E-4B-RF TOW missiles and 500 TOW missiles in a bunker-buster variant.

The radio frequency missiles are launched in tubes by ground forces, tracked optically to destroy their targets.

Also included in the FMS package would be 50 M220A2 TOW launchers, containers, spare and repair parts, and support equipment.

Raytheon would be the principal contractor for the deal.