The Expendables are dispatched to Libya with a critical mission: to thwart the mercenary Rahmat ([Iko Uwais]) from acquiring nuclear warhead detonators for the enigmatic terrorist known as Ocelot ([Andy García]). Rahmat's forces have already breached an old chemical factory, repurposed since the Gaddafi regime, where nuclear components are stored under tight guard by Libyan army factions. Equipped with advanced weaponry and aerial support from drones, Rahmat's private army poses a formidable challenge.
Tasked by CIA operative Marsh ([Andy García]), the Expendables now aim to secure these dangerous detonators, which are intended for a dark plot: an international incident that threatens global peace. Years ago, the CIA engaged Barney ([Sylvester Stallone]) to unmask Ocelot, leading to a deadly ambush that nearly obliterated his unit. Rumors accuse Barney of fabricating the Ocelot myth to cover up his past errors.
Leading the charge is Barney, accompanied by formidable allies: Lee Christmas ([Jason Statham]), Toll Road ([Randy Couture]), and Gunner Jensen ([Dolph Lundgren]), with fresh members Easy Day ([50 Cent]) and Galan ([Jacob Scipio]). Upon entering Libyan airspace, they face immediate retaliation with surface-to-air missiles. Despite a bumpy landing followed by ground deployment, their age begins to show when Gunner misses critical shots due to failing eyesight.
In a desperate attempt to assist Barney after his plane is targeted and seemingly downed, Christmas chooses to forgo his pursuit of Rahmat. As chaos reigns, the team discovers what appears to be Barney’s remains, identified only by his ring. Rahmat, having absconded with the detonators, escapes in a helicopter. During Barney's memorial, Marsh informs the remaining Expendables that their mission to take down both Ocelot and Rahmat continues, but Christmas has been benched for endangering their objective in a bid to rescue Barney.
Christmas's absence is filled by Gina ([Megan Fox]), his former lover, who brings along operative Lash ([Levy Tran]). The team travels to Asia with the goal of stopping Rahmat from collecting the components necessary to construct a nuclear warhead, while cleverly, Christmas has slipped Gina a tracker. With the revelation of a potential eyewitness who can identify Ocelot, Marsh’s intel takes a critical turn.
Marsh warns that Ocelot’s plans involve instigating World War III by detonating the nuclear warheads in the Russian Far East, using a ship masquerading as an American aircraft carrier. However, fate takes a grim twist as the team is ambushed and taken prisoner during their daring raid on the ship. Marsh’s intentions become clear when he offers to release the witness in exchange for himself.
Meanwhile, Christmas embarks on a mission to Thailand to recruit Decha ([Tony Jaa]), who, despite having adopted a pacifist lifestyle, agrees to assist in avenging Barney. As the action escalates aboard the ship, Decha’s conscience brings about a change, ultimately aiding Christmas in leading a rescue operation for the team. In a race against time, they discover a nuclear bomb onboard, with the only way to disarm it hinging on a kill switch that Rahmat presumably possesses.
In a fierce showdown, Christmas ultimately defeats Rahmat, who, before dying, confesses that only Ocelot has the kill switch. Meanwhile, Toll has sustained significant injuries and urgently needs medical help. The truth is finally unveiled during an exchange: Marsh is Ocelot and has slain the witness, aiming to profit from his catastrophic scheme.
As Marsh attempts to pivot the ship towards Russian waters, Christmas takes charge by launching an all-out assault on Marsh’s remaining forces. In a dramatic twist, Barney reemerges, having staged his demise to bait Ocelot out of hiding. Together, they confront Marsh, ensuing in a climactic explosion that sinks the ship, averting global disaster.
They narrowly escape the ensuing chaos and celebrate their victory, united once again as the Expendables.
