Pakistan and Libya Strengthen Defense Industry Ties After High-Level Military Talks

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Pakistan and Libya have agreed to deepen their defense industrial collaboration, focusing on joint production and technical expertise exchange, following a key meeting between their top military leaders on July 18, 2025, in Rawalpindi. This strategic partnership aims to bolster both nations’ capabilities to address regional security challenges, marking a significant step in their longstanding defense ties.

The meeting at General Headquarters (GHQ) saw Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, host Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces. Discussions, as reported by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), centered on regional security dynamics, counterterrorism, and avenues for enhanced defense cooperation. “Both leaders agreed to undertake defense industrial collaboration and exchange of technical expertise to address contemporary security challenges,” the ISPR statement noted, highlighting a mutual commitment to practical military advancements.

Pakistan’s defense industry, already a regional powerhouse, is poised to benefit from this collaboration. With a robust portfolio including the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet and Al-Khalid tank, Pakistan has a proven track record of exporting cost-effective, combat-proven systems to over 21 countries. Libya, navigating its own security challenges, sees Pakistan as a reliable partner. Haftar, during his visit, praised Pakistan’s military professionalism, laying a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada to honor Pakistan’s fallen soldiers, a gesture underscoring the deepening bond.

The agreement builds on historical ties, dating back to the 1974 Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit when Libya’s Muammar Qaddafi called Pakistan “the fort of Islam.” Today, both nations aim to modernize their defense capabilities through joint ventures in areas like drone technology and precision-guided munitions, where Pakistan’s Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS) excels. “This partnership aligns with Pakistan’s strategic push to expand its defense diplomacy,” said defense analyst Kamran Yousaf, emphasizing its potential to counterbalance regional threats.

As geopolitical tensions rise in South Asia and North Africa, this collaboration signals Pakistan’s growing influence as a defense exporter. By leveraging Libya’s strategic position and Pakistan’s industrial strengths, both nations are positioning themselves to tackle modern warfare challenges, from terrorism to hybrid threats, with renewed vigor and shared expertise.