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.

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.