The Libyan National Army showcased new aerial capabilities during its Benghazi parade on 26 May 2025, marking the anniversary of Operation Dignity. Around 13,500 troops marched in formation alongside Russian-supplied Tor-M2 air defence systems and BM-30 Smerch rocket launchers, but the spotlight fell on unmanned aerial vehicles.
By Jarryd Sinovich
Two Chinese vertical take-off and landing drones, the VF-200 and Altair-370, drew particular attention. Their hybrid designs allow for runway independence and extended endurance, making them suited to Libya’s deserts and coastal regions where manned flights face heavy risks.
The VF-200, towed on a Russian Ural-4320 truck, can carry electro-optical sensors, radar modules or signals intelligence pods. With a maximum takeoff weight of 200 kg, it offers multi-hour endurance and encrypted links for autonomous or manual operation. The Altair-370, marketed for ISR missions, provides similar persistence with a modular payload bay.
The appearance of these drones highlights the LNA’s drive to field cost-effective surveillance assets and its reliance on indirect procurement networks that blur the lines between commercial and military supply.
