Mi-26s and T-62s: What Russia's military backing of Haftar means for Libya
A sweeping display of arms and alliances in Benghazi reflects Khalifa Haftar’s effort to project statehood, Moscow’s deeper investment in Libya, and a shifting power balance that could reshape peace prospects.
On Monday in Benghazi, the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF) of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar staged a military parade of unprecedented scale, unveiling an arsenal of armored vehicles, air defense systems, rocket artillery, and infantry formations.
The event was not only a show of strength but marked a qualitative shift in military capability. More significantly, it served as a public reaffirmation of Russia's deepening material support for the dominant faction in eastern Libya. Although the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) remains the UN-recognized authority, backed militarily by Turkey, Haftar’s demonstration of firepower and foreign backing poses a direct challenge to Libya’s political and military balance — and to regional stability.
The LAAF’s showcase
Around 13,500 infantry troops marched in formation alongside elite units — special forces, paratroopers, engineers, CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) teams, and electronic warfare elements. But it was the ground and air assets that conveyed the core message. The LAAF unveiled Russian-supplied Tor-M2E and Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, Mi-26 helicopters, and dozens of Kamaz and Ural military trucks. Upgraded armor included caged T-72 tanks and retrofitted T-62s, modified to counter first-person view (FPV) drones and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) — adaptations reflecting battlefield practices honed by Russian forces in Ukraine.
