Libya has expressed keen interest in benefiting from the operational experience of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), particularly in the domains of air and ground operations, training, and capacity building. The interest was conveyed during a high-level visit by Libya’s Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, to the Air Headquarters in Islamabad.
Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar met with Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, where matters of mutual defense interest and bilateral military cooperation were discussed in detail. The meeting underscored the growing defense engagement between Pakistan and Libya and highlighted opportunities for enhanced collaboration between the two air forces.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Libyan delegation was given a comprehensive briefing on various initiatives undertaken by the Pakistan Air Force, particularly through the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP). The briefing showcased Pakistan’s advancements in aerospace research, innovation, indigenous capability development, and operational preparedness.
During the visit, the Libyan delegation expressed deep appreciation for the professionalism and operational excellence of the Pakistan Air Force. They also conveyed strong interest in learning from the PAF’s extensive operational experience, both in aerial missions and ground-based support operations. The delegation highlighted the value of Pakistan’s expertise in training, operational planning, and force modernization.
ISPR stated that Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu assured the Libyan delegation of Pakistan Air Force’s full support in enhancing Libya’s air force capabilities. He emphasized that PAF remains committed to sharing its knowledge, experience, and best practices with friendly countries to promote regional stability and collective security.
The Air Chief noted that Pakistan and Libya enjoy brotherly relations rooted in shared values and mutual respect. He reiterated Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen defense cooperation through structured engagement, professional exchanges, and training initiatives. According to ISPR, both sides agreed that closer collaboration between their air forces could contribute positively to regional peace and security.
The visit is being viewed as part of broader efforts by Libya to modernize its armed forces and improve operational readiness by learning from experienced and professional military institutions. Pakistan Air Force, widely regarded for its combat experience, training standards, and technological adaptation, is seen as a valuable partner in this regard.
The engagement also reflects Pakistan’s growing role in defense diplomacy, particularly with countries seeking capacity building and professional military cooperation. Over the years, PAF has developed a reputation for offering training and advisory support to allied and friendly nations, especially in areas of air operations, maintenance, and human resource development.
It is noteworthy that this meeting followed another high-level military engagement between Pakistan and Libya a day earlier. Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, Field Marshal Khalifa Abu Al-Qasim Haftar, met with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir. That meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on the security situation in the respective regions.
During the army-to-army interaction, both sides discussed avenues for professional cooperation and stressed the importance of sustained engagement and collaboration between the armed forces of Pakistan and Libya. The discussions reflected a shared understanding of evolving security challenges and the need for coordinated efforts to address them.
Military analysts view these high-level interactions as a sign of strengthening defense ties between Pakistan and Libya. The emphasis on professional cooperation, training, and experience-sharing suggests a long-term approach to building institutional linkages rather than one-off engagements.
The visit to Air Headquarters and the briefing at NASTP also highlighted Pakistan’s growing focus on indigenous defense capabilities and technological self-reliance. By showcasing these initiatives, Pakistan signaled its readiness to partner with friendly nations in defense innovation and capacity enhancement.
Officials familiar with the meetings said that continued dialogue and cooperation could pave the way for future agreements in training, joint exercises, and technical support. While no formal agreements were announced during the visit, the expressions of interest and mutual assurances point toward deeper engagement in the future.
The evolving defense relationship between Pakistan and Libya aligns with Pakistan’s broader foreign policy objective of strengthening ties with countries in the Middle East and North Africa through diplomacy, defense cooperation, and people-to-people engagement.
As regional and global security dynamics continue to shift, such partnerships are increasingly viewed as important tools for building trust, enhancing military professionalism, and promoting stability. The recent interactions between senior military leadership from Pakistan and Libya suggest a shared commitment to cooperation and constructive engagement.
