Pakistan has finalised one of the largest weapons export agreements in its history, striking a deal worth more than $4 billion with Libya’s eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), according to four Pakistani officials familiar with the matter.
The agreement, which includes advanced military equipment for air, land and sea forces, comes despite a longstanding United Nations arms embargo on Libya and is expected to draw international scrutiny.
When was the Pakistan-Libya deal concluded?
The deal was concluded following a high-level meeting last week in Benghazi between Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Saddam Khalifa Haftar, the deputy commander-in-chief of the LNA and son of its leader, General Khalifa Haftar.
The officials, all involved in defence affairs, spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the agreement, according to international media reports. Pakistan’s foreign ministry, defence ministry, and military did not respond to requests for comment, it said.
What was the Pakistan-Libya deal for?
A draft of the agreement, reviewed by the media before finalisation, lists the proposed sale of 16 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and 12 Super Mushak trainer aircraft.
The JF-17 is a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China and marketed as a cost-effective alternative to Western fighters, while the Super Mushak is used for basic pilot training.
One official confirmed the list was accurate, though another said final quantities could vary. Two officials valued the deal at more than $4 billion, while two others put the figure closer to $4.6 billion.
What other arms and equipment would the deal cover?
Beyond aircraft, the agreement reportedly covers military equipment for land, sea, and air operations and will be implemented over roughly two and a half years.
The LNA’s official media channel announced on Sunday (December 21, 2025) that it had entered into a broad defence cooperation pact with Pakistan encompassing weapons sales, joint training, and military manufacturing, without disclosing specifics.
“We announce the launch of a new phase of strategic military cooperation with Pakistan,” Haftar said in remarks broadcast by Al-Hadath television.
How has Libya been under the UN arms embargo?
Libya has remained divided since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. The UN-recognised Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, controls much of western Libya, while Haftar’s LNA dominates the east and south, including key oilfields, and does not recognise the authority of the western government.
The country has been under a UN arms embargo since 2011, requiring prior approval for any transfer of weapons or related materiel.
Why has the UN embargo remained ineffective?
A UN panel of experts noted in a December 2024 report that the embargo remained “ineffective,” observing that several foreign states had become increasingly open about providing military assistance to both sides of Libya’s conflict.
It remains unclear whether Pakistan or the LNA sought any exemptions. Three Pakistani officials insisted the agreement did not violate UN restrictions, arguing there are no sanctions directly targeting Haftar and noting improving relations between Benghazi authorities and Western governments amid rising fuel exports.
What does the arms deal mean for Pakistan?
For Pakistan, the Libya agreement aligns with a broader push to expand defence exports. Islamabad has been promoting its domestic defence industry, spanning aircraft production, armoured vehicles, munitions, and naval construction, while leveraging its decades of counterinsurgency experience.
The military has also highlighted the Pakistan Air Force’s recent performance in clashes with India in May. “Our recent war with India demonstrated our advanced capabilities to the world,” Munir said in televised remarks.
The Libya deal would significantly expand Pakistan’s footprint in North Africa, positioning it as a key supplier outside traditional Western supply chains at a time when regional and global powers are competing for influence over Libya’s fractured security institutions and oil-backed economy.