Libya’s Haftar strikes multi-billion Dollar defense deal with Pakistan

Libya’s eastern based Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, has reportedly struck a major military agreement with Pakistan valued at roughly 4 to 4.6 billion dollars, according to multiple accounts cited in the original report. 

The package is described as a strategic partnership covering air, land, and naval equipment, alongside training and industrial cooperation, and would rank among Pakistan’s largest defense export deals.

Fighter jets, trainer aircraft, and a multiyear rollout

The reported deal includes:

• 16 JF 17 Thunder multirole fighter jets, jointly developed by Pakistan and China

• 12 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, intended to support pilot training and the introduction of new aircraft into service

Implementation is said to span about two and a half years, and could involve Pakistani personnel deployed to train pilots and oversee equipment installation.

Supporters of the JF 17 pitch it as a cost effective multirole fighter that offers a full capability package outside Western supply chains, an important factor for buyers facing political constraints or procurement hurdles.

Why it matters inside Libya

The agreement would significantly strengthen the LNA’s air capabilities. The force has been described as relying heavily on Russian origin air defense systems and Chinese drones for surveillance and intelligence, rather than a modern fighter fleet.

Politically, the deal would also sharpen Libya’s internal balance of power. The LNA controls eastern and southern Libya, including much of the country’s oil fields, while the Tripoli based Government of National Unity, led by Abdulhamid Dbeibah, administers the west. A major boost in aircraft, training, and sustainment would likely improve Haftar’s ability to secure and project power across strategic areas in the east and south.

Pakistan’s play: defense exports and a bigger North Africa footprint

For Islamabad, the reported contract would mark a high profile step in its push to expand defense exports. The pitch is an integrated offering that bundles equipment, training, maintenance, and longer term support for customers looking for alternatives to Western suppliers.

More broadly, the deal signals Pakistan’s interest in deepening its presence in North Africa, in a country that sits at the crossroads of energy production and strategically located military infrastructure.