France to provide Lebanon with missile launchers

The French government will provide the Lebanese army Gazelle helicopters with rocket launchers for French-German anti-tank HOT (High Subsonic Optical Remote-Guided) missiles by the end of July, the Central News Agency  (CNA) reported. The CNA said French President Francois Hollande made the offer during a recent phone call with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman. The rocket launchers are also part of an agreement reached during Lebanese army commander Jean Kahwagi’s visit to Paris last year where France agreed to supply Lebanon with military aid to maintain national security A French military committee visited Lebanon recently to discuss the practical steps of Frances’ support for the army. It is the first time France has decided to provide the Lebanese ?army with rocket launchers on the Gazelle helicopters which were ?banned in Lebanon for several years.? According to CNA, Hollande has asked Sleiman to quickly form a government in order to enable the ?relevant authorities and the political powers in both countries to continue discussions on ?enhancing the capabilities of the Lebanese army and putting agreements into action.? HOT is a long-range anti-tank weapon system that can be operated from a vehicle or helicopter. It is a tube-launched, wire-guided missile with semi-automatic command-to-line-of-sight guidance. HOT was initially developed by Euromissile for the French and Germany armies and first entered service in 1974.