Pakistan Signs Arms Deal Worth Over $4 Billion With Libya

Is the defense deal a reckless gamble with an unreliable military, or a strategic blow against Taliban weapons?

Published 2 days ago

Pakistan Signs Arms Deal Worth Over $4 Billion With Libya

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Above: The PAC JF-17 Thunder multirole combat aircraft, a fighter jet made in China and Pakistan. Image credit: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-Pakistan narrative

Pakistan's arms deal with Libya strikes a critical blow against the Taliban's weapons black market that has flooded Africa with conflict. The Taliban regime has been funneling over $8 billion in U.S.-left weapons from Afghanistan into Libyan black markets to fund terrorism and deploy mercenaries across destabilized regions. Legitimate arms sales from Pakistan will disrupt this illicit flow and cut off a major terrorist revenue stream.

Irves on X

Opposition narrative

Libya's $4.6 billion defense pact with Pakistan is a reckless gamble that ties the nation to one of the world's least dependable militaries. Pakistan's defense industry is plagued by chronic underfunding, corruption and reliance on Chinese imports, making its promises of jets and training little more than political theater. This drains scarce resources into a supplier whose own military struggles with outdated equipment and economic crises.

Global Order