The Times of Islamabad newspaper has revealed that Pakistan and Benghazi are in the process of signing a major defense memorandum of understanding that could include the supply of 16 to 18 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, in a deal estimated to be worth several billion dollars. The report follows a visit by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir, to Benghazi, where he met with Khalifa Haftar to discuss strengthening cooperation in training and capacity building, with a focus on providing Haftar’s forces with advanced defense platforms, according to the newspaper. The JF-17 Thunder is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter aircraft developed jointly by Pakistan and China. It has achieved notable international export success, including the sale of 40 aircraft to Azerbaijan in a deal valued at $4.6 billion, according to defense reports. According to the newspaper, Khalifa Haftar is seeking reliable partners outside traditional suppliers constrained by UN sanctions or political conditions, such as Russia.

Source: Libya Observer December 21, 2025 17:45 UTC