Pakistan–Libya Seal US$4.6 Billion Defense Deal

Defence affairs - Def-Geopolitics 

The US$4.6 billion deal reflects a new strategic alignment between Libya and Pakistan in military modernization efforts outside of Western and Russian influence.

Pakistan and Libya have reportedly signed a defense deal worth US$4.6 billion (approximately RM21.62 billion), marking a significant strategic development in the framework of South-South military cooperation and aligning Libya's efforts to rebuild its armed forces with Pakistan's growing role as a competitive defense exporter outside the traditional Western and Russian supply chains.

The scale, breadth and timing of the signing of this agreement reflect a recalibration of defence diplomacy across North Africa and South Asia, where cost-effectiveness, rapid operational time, operational sovereignty and reduced political conditions are increasingly becoming key determinants of military acquisition patterns.

For Pakistan, the reported deal is among the largest single defense export packages in the country's history, matching in terms of headline value its previous US$4.6 billion (RM21.62 billion) deal for JF-17 fighter jets with Azerbaijan, while for Libya it marks a rare attempt at structural, intergovernmental military modernization after more than a decade of division, capability decline and institutional erosion.

This agreement is understood to have been finalized during Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir's historic visit to Benghazi in mid-December 2025, the first visit by a Pakistani military commander to Libya, where the discussions led to the signing of a military cooperation framework at the headquarters of the Libyan National Army (LNA) under the leadership of Field Marshal Khalifa Belqasim Haftar.

This interaction, taking place in the context of Libya's unresolved political divisions and the push for an export-oriented Pakistani defense industry, has been interpreted by regional analysts as a pragmatic alignment driven not by ideology, but rather by pressing operational needs and shared strategic opportunities.

Beyond the transaction value alone, this agreement reflects a broader shift in the way developing and post-conflict countries shape defense partnerships, prioritizing comprehensive capability packages and long-term sustainability support over isolated platform acquisitions.

For Libya, the decision to work with Pakistan signals a strategic intent to rebuild military effectiveness through institutionalized training, systematic maintenance, and doctrinal transfer, rather than relying on ad hoc foreign support or proxy forces.