On October 19, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) announced that a contingent of its JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets had arrived in Azerbaijan to demonstrate their combat capabilities as part of the bilateral exercise Indus Shield Alpha. According to the statement, the deployment was carried out in a single nonstop flight, during which pilots performed aerial refueling maneuvers both to complete the journey and to train in the corresponding procedures.
Providing further details, the official PAF statement noted that along with the JF-17 fighters, an IL-78 tanker aircraft was also deployed to ensure that the aircraft reached their destination safely. The journey, the statement affirmed, “reaffirmed the long-range capability of PAF fighter aircraft and demonstrated the professional excellence and readiness of its crew to undertake extended international deployments.” The PAF also mentioned that ground support personnel were sent to Azerbaijan to ensure aircraft maintenance as required during the exercise.
Regarding Indus Shield Alpha, the PAF explained that the main objective of the exercise is to enhance tactical coordination between the forces of the two allied nations, as well as interoperability among their respective units. Specifically, the activities will focus on modern air combat strategies and procedures, including complex planning phases designed to reflect the fast-paced and dynamic nature of aerial warfare. The event will also serve as an opportunity to explore new mechanisms for joint responses to emerging challenges faced by both air forces today, building on the close ties between Islamabad and Baku.
In the words of the Pakistan Air Force: “The participation of the Pakistan Air Force contingent in Exercise Indus Shield Alpha reaffirms PAF’s enduring commitment to regional stability and global military cooperation. It also demonstrates PAF’s steadfast resolve to continuously evolve and adapt to the demands of contemporary warfare while maintaining its tradition of excellence across all domains of air operations.”
Lastly, it is worth noting that the exercise also provides an important opportunity for Azerbaijani personnel to become familiar with the JF-17 platform, which the country has already acquired to replace its aging MiG-29 fighters and Su-25 attack aircraft—both of Russian origin. To finalize this acquisition, Baku invested approximately USD 4.6 billion in an agreement covering a total of 40 JF-17 Block III fighters of Sino-Pakistani design. As early as September 2024, the aircraft had already visited Heydar Aliyev Airport, where it was observed firsthand by President Ilham Aliyev and senior Azerbaijani Air Force officials.
Image credits: Pakistan Air Force
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