Aviation

Iran Expresses Interest in Acquiring Pakistan’s JF-17 Fighter Jets

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East between Israel and various Arab nations, many Arab countries are targeting Israel. However, they lack the sophisticated weaponry needed to effectively challenge it.

Western countries and NATO allies, including Egypt and Turkey, are also unwilling to offer support. The only viable option left for these nations is to procure arms from China or Russia.

In response to the ongoing conflict, Iran has shown renewed interest in acquiring Chinese fighter jets. Although Iran attempted to purchase the J-10 aircraft from China in 2021, the deal was complicated.

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China hesitated to finalize a barter agreement due to Iran’s cash-strapped situation. Tehran is reportedly interested in acquiring 36 advanced J-10C jets, but finding the necessary funds poses a significant challenge. While China initially considered exchanging weapons for oil, it ultimately required payment in foreign currency, leading to the deal’s failure.

As per the sources Inshort Now, Iran has approached Pakistan to buy the jf 17 C Block III fighter jet—one of the most popular options in the global defense market, known for its affordability, advanced technology, and combat effectiveness.

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This request marks a strategic shift in regional power dynamics, particularly with Turkey’s involvement in key subsystems adding complexity to the arrangement. The demand for the JF-17 C Block III, developed jointly by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China Aerospace Corporation, is rapidly increasing.

The JF-17 is a cost-effective alternative to Western and Russian platforms, making it especially appealing to countries looking to upgrade their air forces without investing billions in next-generation fighters like the F-35 or Su-57.

Equipped with advanced features, including an active electronically scanned array radar, beyond-visual-range missiles, a helmet-mounted display system, and integrated electronics, the jf 17 offers a balanced mix of air-to-air combat proficiency and precision ground attack capabilities.

Countries like Azerbaijan, Myanmar, and Nigeria already operate the JF-17, with Block III deliveries anticipated soon. Iran’s formal request for the JF-17 C Block III signifies a potential shift in the global defense landscape.

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With ongoing sanctions from the West, this deal could significantly enhance Tehran’s air combat capabilities without falling under U.S. or European scrutiny.

The inclusion of Turkish subsystems, which comprise avionics and other critical components, adds sophistication to the deal, making it particularly valuable for Iran. If successful, the Iranian Air Force would experience substantial upgrades.

The JF-17 C Block III’s advanced avionics, BVR capabilities, and AEW radar would equip Iran with a modern fighter jet capable of addressing threats from adversaries like Israel and Saudi Arabia, thereby bolstering its regional air power and defense interests.

The jf 17 azerbaijan III, with speeds exceeding Mach 2 (approximately 2,470 kilometers per hour), boasts agility and maneuverability crucial for air combat. Its main advantage lies in cost-effectiveness, priced at roughly half that of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, estimated at around $25 million per plane.

However, this figure may not fully account for all factors in the deal, including training, spare parts, missiles, and other necessary add-ons that could increase the total cost.

Aviation

Russia may not produce more Su-57s, and production is now gradually being stopped for this reason

In a significant setback for Russia’s military ambitions, the country has suspended production of its advanced Su-57 Felon fighter jets.

This decision primarily stems from the impact of Western sanctions, which have severely restricted access to essential components needed for the aircraft’s production, as reported by The Telegraph.

Analysts from the Ukrainian research group Frontelligence Insight have emphasized the heavy reliance of Russia’s military industry on Western technology, particularly in electronics. They noted that sanctions have throttled the supply of critical hardware, jeopardizing the Su-57’s production.

Frontelligence Insight conducted an analysis of Russian documents, identifying key bottlenecks in the production process. Among these were the WA36 attenuator—an electronic device crucial for signal calibration—and various power supplies.

These components are integral to the MPPU-50, a German device essential for calibrating the Su-57’s communication system. The lack of these critical parts has forced Russian military leaders to reassess their plans for modernizing their air fleet.

As a result of these production challenges, the Russian military is considering shifting its focus to more economical fighter jets, such as the MiG-35. The potential revival of production for older aircraft models, despite their simplicity, may represent a symbolic victory for Russia’s adversaries.

The Su-57 program was originally intended to bring Russia’s capabilities in line with those of the U.S. Air Force. However, the situation is increasingly dire; by the time Russia fulfills its initial order of Su-57 jets, the U.S. Air Force is already advancing plans for a new stealth fighter to succeed the F-22.

First taking flight in 2010, the Su-57 has faced a tumultuous path. Over the past decade, Sukhoi has painstakingly hand-built ten test models. In 2019, the Kremlin signed a contract for 76 serial production jets at an estimated cost of $50 million each.

To date, Sukhoi has delivered the first ten serial models to the Russian Air Force in 2022, followed by eleven more in 2023, with only a few additional jets delivered in 2024.

Compounding the situation, Russia’s air force has already suffered losses, with two Su-57s—one test model and one serial production model—crashing in separate incidents. Additionally, a strike on the Akhtubinsk airfield in June destroyed at least one Su-57, further straining the program.

As the suspension of Su-57 production unfolds, the future of Russia’s military aviation capabilities remains uncertain, with the nation grappling with the repercussions of ongoing sanctions and the pressing need for modernization.