"... The Americans have supplied second- and third-hand military equipment to Lebanon since 2006. But they refuse to provide advanced weapons systems on the grounds these could be used against Israel.
Their rationale is that building up Lebanon's armed forces will help stabilize the country and provide a legitimate alternative to Hezbollah that would undercut the Iranian-backed movement's justification for maintaining its own military forces.
By providing MiG-29s, even in such modest numbers, Moscow is seeking to outmaneuver the United States in Lebanon, ... But is it difficult to see how the Lebanese MiGs, a product of the 1990s and intended as a counter to the early model U.S. F-16, will alter the balance of power in any practical way in the region despite its speed, maneuverability and advanced weaponry. ..... Indeed, in such an event, the MiG-29s would be lucky to get off the ground since they would be a key target of the first Israeli airstrikes...... Lebanon is helpless to counter Israeli air incursions. Its air force's combat capability consists of four patched-up British-built Hawker Hunter jets, ..... There is also one OV-10 Bronco, a turboprop observation/light attack aircraft, a type used in the Vietnam War, and a Cessna 2908B Caravan, ..... There are also around 40 helicopters, including 23 Vietnam-era Bell UH-1H Huey utility helicopters that can be fitted to carry bombs and rockets......
So, while the Russian military men inspect the suitability of the Lebanese air force's three bases -- at Beirut's international airport, Rayaq in the east near the Syrian border and at the civil airport at Kleiat in the north – the military value of the handful of MiG-29s remains an enigma."
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