Libyan National Army Displays New Russian Supplied Su-24M Heavy Strike Fighters

Following the release if surveillance footage showing the delivery of Su-24M strike fighters to the Libyan National Army (LNA), which were sold by Russia alongside MiG-29 multirole jets, the Information Office of the LNA’s General Command released footage of one of these aircraft in flight. The footage was part of a promotional video showing LNA forces conducting military exercises, with Mi-24 attack helicopters also notably also featured. The Su-24 and MiG-29 jets were delivered by Russia through its airbase in Syria, and are thought to have been paid for by the United Arab Emirates which is backing these forces alongside Egypt. The national army is currently at war with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), which has strong Islamist leanings and is currently strongly supported by Turkey. While the GNA has benefitted from manpower contributions from a number of Turkish sponsored Al Qaeda linked groups, which were formerly based in Syria, the LNA has reportedly received the support of Russian military contractors who are thought to be flying its jet aircraft. 

The Su-24M and MiG-29 are Libya’s only fourth generation combat aircraft, with the country having neglected to invest in modernising its Air Force after the 1980s which effectively allowed the Western Bloc nations to launch an offensive against it with little opposition in the air in 2011. The result has been almost a decade of unrest and civil war for what was formerly Africa’s most developed country. The unexpected Western attack on Libya notably sparked renewed interest from neighbouring Egypt and Algeria in air defence modernisation with both purchasing high end Russian systems such as the S-300V4 and S-400 air defence systems and Su-35 fighter jets. The Su-24M has the potential to be a game changer for the Libyan conflict and is one of the world’s most capable strike fighters, although the exact variant in LNA service remains uncertain. The fighter was designed to fly sorties across Western Europe by the Soviet Air Force, and has a very high endurance and avionics well suited to precision warfare. It is likely that initial deliveries of Su-24M and MiG-29 jets to the LNA will be followed by further Russian combat aircraft once Libyan units are able to absorb existing and effectively operate existing aircraft.