Pakistan has reached a deal worth over $4 billion to sell military equipment to Libya’s eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), according to four Pakistani officials involved in defence matters. The agreement comes despite a United Nations arms embargo on the country.

The deal, reportedly one of Pakistan’s largest-ever weapons sales, was finalised following a meeting last week in Benghazi between Pakistan’s military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and LNA deputy commander-in-chief Saddam Khalifa Haftar.

The agreement reportedly includes 16 JF-17 multi-role fighter jets, co-developed by Pakistan and China, and 12 Super Mushak trainer aircraft for pilot training. Pakistani officials said the deal covers equipment for land, sea and air operations and is expected to be implemented over two-and-a-half years. The total value of the agreement was cited as between $4 billion and $4.6 billion.

The LNA’s official media confirmed a defence cooperation pact with Pakistan, including weapons sales, joint training and military manufacturing. Haftar announced the deal on Al-Hadath television, calling it a “new phase of strategic military cooperation” with Pakistan.

Libya has been under a U.N. arms embargo since 2011, following the NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. The embargo requires U.N. approval for weapons transfers, but a December 2024 U.N. report said the restrictions remain largely ineffective, with some states increasingly open about providing military assistance to factions in Libya.

Three Pakistani officials involved in the deal said it does not violate the U.N. arms embargo. One noted that Pakistan is not the only country making deals with Libya, and another said Haftar faces no sanctions.

The deal comes as Pakistan seeks to expand its defence exports, leveraging decades of domestic military experience and a defence industry capable of producing aircraft, armoured vehicles, munitions and naval vessels. Pakistan markets the JF-17 as a cost-effective fighter outside Western supply chains and has deepened defence ties with Gulf partners, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

By supplying equipment to the LNA, Pakistan could expand its influence in North Africa, where international powers compete for leverage over Libya’s fragmented security structures and oil-backed economy.