Pakistan has reached a defence deal worth more than $4 billion with Libya’s eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), according to Reuters, citing multiple Pakistani officials. The agreement involves selling military equipment to the LNA, even though Libya is still under a United Nations arms embargo. The deal is being described as one of the largest weapons sales Pakistan has ever made.
Pakistan seals multi-billion dollar arms deal with Libyan forces
The agreement, according to Reuters, was finalised after a meeting last week in Benghazi, a city in eastern Libya. Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met Saddam Khalifa Haftar, the deputy commander-in-chief of the LNA. All Pakistani officials who spoke about the deal are linked to defence matters and chose to speak on the condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the deal. Pakistan’s foreign ministry, defence ministry and military have not commented on the report yet.
A copy of the agreement, seen by Reuters before it was finalised, listed several items. These include 16 JF-17 fighter jets and 12 Super Mushak trainer aircraft. The JF-17 is a multi-role fighter jet developed together by China and Pakistan. The Super Mushak is used to train new pilots.
According to the official, the agreement covers equipment for land, sea and air forces and will be carried out over about two and a half years. Two officials said the deal is worth more than $4 billion, while the other two put the value closer to $4.6 billion.
The Libya deal would help Pakistan expand its presence in North Africa, a region where global and regional powers are competing for influence.
LNA confirms defence cooperation with Pakistan
The LNA’s official media channel reported on Sunday that it had signed a defence cooperation agreement with Pakistan. This includes weapons sales, joint military training and defence manufacturing, though no detailed list was shared. “We announce the launch of a new phase of strategic military cooperation with Pakistan,” Saddam Haftar said in remarks aired by Al-Hadath television, according to Reuters.
Libya has been unstable since 2011, when a NATO-backed uprising overthrew longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The UN-recognised Government of National Unity, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, controls most of western Libya. Meanwhile, Haftar’s LNA controls the east and south of the country.
Libya has been under a UN arms embargo since 2011. Any transfer of weapons to the country officially requires approval from the United Nations.
Pakistan says deal does not violate UN rules
Speaking to Reuters, three Pakistani officials said the agreement does not break the UN arms embargo. One official said Pakistan is not the only country striking defence deals with Libya. Another mentioned that there are no international sanctions against Khalifa Haftar. A third said relations between Benghazi authorities and Western countries have improved, especially after fuel exports from eastern Libya have increased.
For years now, Pakistan has been aggressively attempting to expand its defence exports. This includes aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, armoured vehicles, ammunition production and naval construction.
Pakistan promotes the JF-17 fighter jet as a lower-cost alternative to Western aircraft. The country has been trying to boost its security ties with Gulf countries as well. It signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia in September 2025.
