Libyan Navy

The Libyan Navy is the maritime force of Libya, established in November 1962. It is a fairly typical small navy with a few missile frigates, corvettes and patrol boats to defend the coastline, but with a very limited self-defence capability. The Navy has always been the smallest of Libya's services and has always been dependent on foreign sources for equipment, spare parts, and training.

Its first warship was delivered in 1966. Initially the effective force was limited to smaller vessels, but this changed after the rise of Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi in 1969. From this time, Libya started to buy armaments from Europe and the Soviet Union.

The Customs and Harbour police were amalgamated with the Navy in 1970, extending the Navy's mission to include anti-smuggling and customs duties.

The total personnel of the Libyan Navy is about 8,000.

Libyan Navy Ships

Libyan Navy Frigates

2 × Koni class frigates (Type 1159) (one operational)

• 212 Al Hani:
• 213 Al Ghardabia:

Armament:

• 4 × SS-N-2C Styx SSMs
• 2 × SA-N-4 SAMs
• 4 × 76mm guns
• 4 × 30mm guns
• 4 × 406mm torpedoes
• 1 × RBU-6000 A/S mortar
• 20 mines

Libyan Navy Corvettes

2 × Nanuchka class corvettes

• 416 Tariq-Ibn Ziyad:
• 418 Ain Zaara:

Armament:

• 4 × SS-N-2C Styx SSMs
• 2 × SA-N-4 SAMs
• 2 × 57mm guns MFPBs

Libyan Navy MFPBs

9 × Combattante II fast attack craft (7 operational)

Armament:

• 4 × Otomat SSMs
• 1 × 76mm gun
• 2 × 40mm guns

12 × Osa class missile boats (Type II) (6 operational)

Armament:

• 4 × SS-N-2C Styx SSMs
• 4 × 30mm guns

Libyan Navy Mine warfare vessels

9 × Natya class minesweepers (Type 266ME) (5 operational)

Armament:

• 4 × 30mm guns
• 4 × 25mm guns
• 2 × RBU 1200 A/S mortars
• 10 mines
• Acoustic & Magnetic sweep

In addition to several auxiliary and landing craft.

Libyan Navy Submarines

Originally Libya received six submarines from the Soviet union in 1982. But there were no patrols since 1984 and one submarine is reported sunk in 1993 and another one was abandoned in Lithuania due to international sanctions. There were reports about one submarine being refitted in 2003 but it is very unlikely that the submarines are still operational.