Defence

Azerbaijan is Now the 4th Nation to Obtain JF-17 Fighters from Pakistan

Azerbaijan has officially inducted the JF-17 Block III aircraft, developed jointly by Pakistan and China, into its air force.

The presentation of this advanced fighter jet was made to President Ilham Aliyev, who also serves as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Azerbaijan, on September 25 at Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

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This development comes at a crucial time when Azerbaijan is engaged in a tense standoff with its neighbor, Armenia, following its recent capture of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The acquisition of these fighter jets marks a significant shift in Azerbaijan’s defense strategy, moving away from its traditional arms supplier, Russia, and instead strengthening ties with Turkey and Pakistan. Meanwhile, Armenia has been deepening its defense ties with India, which is emerging as a key supplier for its military needs.

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Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Iran, Ali Alizada, confirmed the acquisition on social media platform X on Wednesday. Alizada, who has also served as an envoy to pakistan air force, revealed that the two countries had signed a $1.6 billion deal in February. Under this agreement, Azerbaijan will receive eight jf 17 aircraft from Pakistan, along with a supply of air-to-surface missiles.

🇦🇿@Presidentaz on JF-17C ✊

JF-17C modern multi-purpose aircraft have been included in the arsenal of the #Azerbaijan Air Force . #JF17 #JF17C pic.twitter.com/p3qPhCgwBV— Ali Alizada 🇦🇿 (@Ali_F_Alizada) September 25, 2024

The JF-17C Block III, co-produced by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC), is a lightweight, multirole fighter jet with advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities. Known for its high maneuverability at medium and low altitudes, this jet will significantly bolster Azerbaijan’s air force capabilities.

Pakistan, a long-time supporter of Azerbaijan, especially in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, has further solidified its ties with this latest defense collaboration.

Defence

Boeing to Develop AI-Powered Lethal Fighter Jets for US Defense

Boeing has embarked on a groundbreaking journey to develop a fleet of lethal, AI-piloted fighter aircraft for the United States military. According to the report, from DailyMail.

These “un-crewed” jets, officially dubbed the MQ-28 Ghost Bats, are designed to operate autonomously, guided by sophisticated artificial intelligence. The ambitious project envisions thousands of these AI-driven aircraft in the skies, sparking both excitement and concern about the implications of such technology.

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Currently, Boeing’s working prototypes of the Ghost Bat, being developed in both the US and Australia, boast impressive capabilities.

At 38 feet in length, each drone can fly more than 2,300 miles and is equipped with artificial intelligence to operate independently. The aircraft also features roughly 53 cubic feet of storage capacity within its nose for interchangeable payloads, allowing it to carry an array of bombs and munitions, including potentially multiple tactical nuclear weapons.

While the Ghost Bats represent a significant leap forward in military technology, critics argue that these plans raise pressing questions about public safety, national security, and the ethical use of taxpayer funds. The concern stems from the potential for machines to select and strike targets without direct human intervention, which could fundamentally change the nature of warfare.

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The Pentagon estimates that each AI-controlled drone will cost approximately $30 million, but the final version is still open to bids from Boeing’s competitors, with a longer timeline extending into 2029 and beyond.

The US Air Force has requested $557 million for the fiscal year 2025 to develop and test its AI fighter program, with the ultimate goal of securing a multibillion-dollar contract to build a fleet of 1,000 AI jets. The urgency behind Boeing’s project stems from the United States’ drive to maintain an edge over China in the race to integrate AI into weapon systems