At the same time as it officially announced the Chinese offer for 40 J-35A fighters to equip its Air Force, the government of Pakistan confirmed through a brief statement on its social media platforms that it has reached an agreement with Azerbaijan to carry out the sale of up to 40 new JF-17 Thunder Block III fighters. These aircraft will allow Azerbaijan to replace its current fleets composed of Russian MiG-29 fighters, which are complemented by Su-25 attack aircraft. According to the statement, Baku will invest a total of $4.6 billion to complete the deal, representing a significant boost for Pakistan’s military-industrial complex.
It is worth noting that the number of JF-17 fighters in this deal is considerably higher than the figure originally announced last September, which was estimated at around a dozen aircraft manufactured by the joint venture between Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation. At the time, the news emerged shortly after the end of a renewed conflict between Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia, which led to a new requirement for a minimum of 24 fighters moving forward.
It should also be recalled that the Sino-Pakistani aircraft had already been showcased at Heydar Aliyev Airport in the presence of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and officials from the country’s Air Force. On that occasion, the local delegation not only had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the platform in a static display—which included a presentation of the broad array of weaponry the JF-17 can carry—but also witnessed a flight demonstration highlighting the aircraft’s capabilities.
Furthermore, as previously reported last year, Azerbaijan’s Air Force is expected to leverage its partnership with Turkey and its defense industry to acquire the weaponry to be integrated into the newly purchased fighters. In this context, there has been discussion of a potential purchase of Bozdoğan and Gökdoğan missiles, for short- and medium-range engagements respectively. This aligns with Azerbaijan’s broader strategy of diversifying its sources of military equipment and reducing its reliance on Russia in this domain.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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