The Lebanese Navy has been given eight rigid-hulled inflatable boats from the US in a bid to strengthen its capacity to defend the country’s borders.

RHIB are high-speed, high-buoyancy all weather boats specifically designed to transport a fully equipped team of eight passengers and three crew members specially suited for coastal patrolling and counter-smuggling operations.

The 11m-long naval special warfare RHIB can operate in heavy seas and winds of up to 45kt. It has a displacement capacity of 7,892kg and an operational range of 200nm.

In addition, the US has given nine Humvee ambulances, 60 Humvee tactical military vehicles and a fire truck to the Lebanese Air Force to assist in fighting fires in military bases.