Lebanon is to get 10 second-hand Mig-29s as a gift from Moscow “as a form of military and technical assistance”, according to French press agency AFP which quotes Mikhail Dmitriyev, director of Russia's Federal Military and Technical Cooperation Service. “The Russian defense ministry has decided to supply 10 of its Mig-29 fighters to Lebanon,” he said, adding that “technical and military assistance is assistance paid for by the budget.” No date for delivery of the aircraft was given but when they arrive it will make a quantum leap for Lebanon's air force which currently has five Hawker Hunter jets and 16 helicopters, according to the Moscow Times.

The announcement came after Lebanon's defense minister, Elias Murr, held talks earlier this week with his Russian counterpart, Anatoly Serdyukov, in Moscow to discuss a detailed list of equipment needed by Lebanon's armed forces.

Earlier this month  all the Russian Air Force's Mig-29s were grounded after two crashes in three months.