ISLAMABAD: Emerging as a serious military power with battle-hardened armed forces, Pakistan has signed a multi-billion dollar deal to export conventional military equipment to Libya.
The agreement places Pakistan among a small group of global arms exporters.
According to Reuters, the deal exceeds $4 billion. It is one of Pakistan’s largest-ever defence export agreements and will contribute towards revival of country’s economy.
Pakistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has taken significant initiatives for the revival of our economy. Increase in exports is cornerstone of these initiatives.
The weapons will be supplied to the Libyan National Army and the agreement was finalised after a meeting in Benghazi.
The meeting involved Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Saddam Khalifa Haftar.Haftar is deputy commander-in-chief of the LNA.
According to sources, after the victory in Maark-e-Haq, a phenomenal interest is being seen in military hardware by our friendly countries which includes Libya.
Sources said the deal includes air, land and naval equipment. Delivery will be spread over nearly two and a half years.
Documents seen by Reuters mention JF-17 fighter jets. The aircraft is jointly developed by Pakistan and China. Super Mushak trainer aircraft are also part of the package.
Military officials described the deal as historic in terms of its financial impact; an outcome of CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir’s consistent efforts through military diplomacy.
Defence exports have long supported Pakistan’s economy.Officials say export growth is now central to economic revival plans.
Libya remains under a UN arms embargo since 2011.However, Pakistani officials called it a “paper embargo”.
They argued many Western and regional states supply arms to Libya.Such deals, they said, have continued for years.
