US Approves Sale Of TOW Anti-Tank Missiles to Lebanon

The US has approved a $245 million worth possible sale of 1,000 tube-launched TOW anti-tank and 500 TOW bunker buster missiles to Lebanon.

TOW missile is a multi-use battlefield weapon effective against tanks and vehicles, ground forces and helicopters.

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

The FMS package also includes 50 M220A2 TOW launchers, containers, spare and repair parts, and support equipment. Raytheon would be the principal contractor for the deal, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced Wednesday.

The sale comes as Lebanon experiences spill-over from the conflict in Syria, and Lebanon’s Shiite militia Hezbollah fighting rebels seeking to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.