Pakistan Signs $4 Billion Military Equipment Deal with Libyan General Khalifa Haftar

Pakistan has entered into a major military equipment deal worth over $4 billion with General Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA). The agreement, which includes joint-production fighter jets with China, will supply Haftar’s forces with advanced weaponry and aircraft, including 16 JF-17 fighter jets and 12 Super Mushak training planes. The deal is expected to be executed over the next two and a half years, involving land, sea, and air military assets.

During his visit to Benghazi, Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir, met with Haftar's son, Saddam, to finalize the deal. In his speech, Munir emphasized the importance of strengthening armed forces to ensure state sovereignty, acknowledging Libya's history of resistance against Italian colonial forces under Omar Mukhtar.

The deal could lead to a substantial shift in the military dynamics of Libya, where Haftar controls the east, while the UN-recognized government in Tripoli governs the west. The agreement comes as Haftar, backed by the UAE, Egypt, and Russia, seeks to enhance his military capabilities.

This agreement could also create diplomatic tensions, particularly with Turkey, which has supported the Tripoli-based government. Despite the complications, the deal signifies Pakistan’s growing role in international defense markets, especially amid its strained economic situation.

As this arms deal unfolds, it highlights Libya’s ongoing conflict and Pakistan's strategic push to expand its military exports globally.