America watches as Europe’s most powerful military expands across 6 airbases in a North African nation with fighter jets, drones and air-defense systems

The recent move involves funding and executing major infrastructure projects while deploying additional personnel to the region.

According to reports citing data from the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, these activities are part of a broader mission to extend Moscow’s influence throughout North Africa and the Sahel.

The expansion is concentrated at the Jufra, Al-Khadim, Ghardabiya, Brak Al-Shati, Maaten Al-Sarra, and Tamanhint airbases, which are located throughout central, eastern, and southern Libya.

Intelligence reports have observed the arrival of sophisticated military equipment at these sites, including MiG-29 fighter jets, drones, and air defense systems.

Russian military personnel and affiliated formations are actively maintaining a presence at these locations to support logistical and combat capabilities.

Considerable construction is underway to modernize these facilities, with Russian forces rehabilitating runways, warehouses, and aircraft hangars.

At Al-Khadim Air Base, three new hangars and suspected accommodation facilities were built over the past year, followed by a communications tower and barracks in 2026.

The number of personnel is also on the rise; for example, the Russian presence at Brak Al-Shati Air Base increased from approximately 300 to 450 individuals in a period of only a few months.

Some bases, like Maaten Al-Sarra near the borders with Chad and Sudan, are being positioned for wider regional impact.

African security researcher Frank Talbot described this specific site as a “potential strategic hub for Russian operations in the Sahel“.

The Africa Defense Forum suggests that these developments allow Russia to take advantage of Libya’s strategic location to facilitate the movement of weapons and equipment across the continent.

While Moscow seeks to solidify its logistical capacity through projects like those at the Port of Tobruk, the international community remains concerned about the long-term effects on Libya’s sovereignty.

Libya Observer reported that the forum warned that the continued presence of these foreign military forces “poses a challenge to efforts to unify Libya’s institutions” and complicates the goal of removing foreign mercenaries from the country.`