U.S. Approves Expansion of Lebanon’s M1151A1 Humvee Fleet to 140 Vehicles.

The US State Department has approved a $34.5 million Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon for 90 additional M1151A1 Humvees and support equipment, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The deal expands Lebanon’s protected mobility and communications capacity as the army faces mounting border and internal security demands.

The U.S. State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon on December 16, valued at an estimated $34.5 million, covering additional M1151A1 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles and related support, according to a notification released by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The approval adds 90 armored Humvees to a previously implemented case for 50 vehicles, bringing the total to 140 M1151A1s, with AM General identified as the principal contractor.
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M1151A1 Humvee armored high mobility patrol vehicle with turret-mounted heavy weapon options and modern radios for rapid response (Picture source: U.S. DoW).

While the DSCA notice is light on weapon specifics, the M1151A1 is built around a simple idea: move infantry fast and let them bring a serious crew-served weapon with them. AM General describes the M1151 armament carrier as supporting ring-mounted weapons with a 360-degree arc of fire, with optional gunner protection and a manual traversing unit. In practical field configurations, this turret position is typically paired with systems such as the M2 12.7 mm heavy machine gun or the Mk 19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, and it can also host 7.62 mm machine guns for sustained suppressive fire depending on mission and ammunition availability.

The platform’s tactical value comes from the combination of protection, payload, and cross-country mobility. The M1151A1 is powered by a 6.5L turbocharged diesel engine producing around 190 hp, coupled to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Maximum road speed is approximately 70 mph with an operational range of 250 miles. Ground clearance of more than 17 inches, a 40% gradient capability, and a 30% side slope rating allow the vehicle to operate across Lebanon’s mountainous terrain, narrow rural tracks, and damaged urban infrastructure. Protection is modular, combining standard underbody and rocker armor with add-on kits. The B1 armor configuration adds perimeter and overhead protection and a rear ballistic bulkhead, increasing survivability against small arms and fragmentation threats at the cost of payload.

Operationally, these vehicles are most useful when employed as armed maneuver platforms rather than simple transports. The approved package includes multiband handheld radios, GPS receivers, and an electronic counter-countermeasures capable waveform, indicating a focus on secure communications, navigation, and resilience against basic jamming. For the Lebanese Armed Forces, which frequently deploy small units on dispersed patrols, checkpoints, convoy escort missions, and rapid reaction tasks, this communications suite directly enhances command and control and reduces response times during incidents.

Lebanon’s requirement for additional protected mobility is driven by a persistent and complex security environment. Since the cessation of large-scale hostilities in late 2024, the Lebanese state has faced pressure to expand the army’s presence in the south, reinforce border monitoring, and assert control over sensitive areas, even as tensions with Israel remain volatile. At the same time, internal political strains and the ongoing economic crisis continue to undermine readiness, pay, and sustainment across the force. In this context, proven light tactical vehicles that can be fielded quickly and supported through U.S. assistance represent a pragmatic solution compared to heavier, more expensive armored platforms.

The Lebanese Armed Forces are already a Humvee-heavy force. In August 2022, the army confirmed the reception of 150 Humvees as U.S. military assistance, and these vehicles now form the backbone of LAF mobility for internal security and border duties. The army also operates tracked armored vehicles such as the M113 family, including additional transfers in recent years, but these platforms serve different roles and impose higher maintenance and fuel burdens. The new M1151A1s, therefore, do not replace existing assets but expand the number of protected, armed vehicles available for daily operations.

By expanding Lebanon’s fleet of standardized, protected armament carriers equipped with modern communications, Washington is reinforcing the LAF’s ability to deploy visibly, respond rapidly, and sustain a credible presence across contested areas. The Humvee will not alter the regional balance of power, but 140 M1151A1s can meaningfully reshape the tactical landscape on the ground, strengthening patrol density, convoy security, and command cohesion at a moment when Lebanon’s stability remains fragile.