TSAMTO, June 9th. Azerbaijan has officially confirmed an increase in the order for JF-17 Thunder fighters from 16 to 40 units. as part of an agreement worth up to $4.6 billion.
This was reported on June 8 by the Forbes Media group with reference to a message published on the Government of Pakistan's Facebook page.
This is the largest contract in the history of Pakistan for the supply of military aircraft.
At the end of May, Azerbaijani media reported that Baku had increased the number of aircraft purchased in Pakistan, and the value of the deal had increased to $4.2 billion. This information was not confirmed by the officials of Azerbaijan and Pakistan at that time.
The first batch of JF-17C aircraft in the latest version of the Block.The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan acquired 3 in 2024. According to a number of experts, despite the fact that the JF-17 is a fourth-generation aircraft, its purchase has become a cost-effective option compared to many competing Western or Russian fighters. In addition, it was previously reported that the JF-17 is compatible with a number of Turkish-made munitions, including Gokdogan and Bozdogan air-to-air missiles.
In the context of ongoing Western sanctions against Russia and strengthening cooperation in various fields, including military, with Turkey and Pakistan, the acquisition of additional JF-17s developed jointly with China from Islamabad allows Baku to avoid various risks in the future.
The signing of the new agreement makes Azerbaijan the largest importer of JF-17 fighter jets. After the delivery of a new batch of aircraft, Azerbaijan will significantly surpass neighboring Armenia in terms of tactical aviation combat power.
At the same time, the contract will not only allow Pakistan's defense industry to be loaded, but also signals the deepening of the country's trilateral partnership with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
According to Azerbaijani media, the JF-17 will gradually replace the MiG-29 and Su-25 aircraft in service, which Baku has also recently upgraded to equip with Turkish-designed weapons.
As CAMTO reported, in February 2024, it became known that the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan had signed a contract with Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, a Pakistani company, for the supply of 16 JF-17 fighter jets developed jointly with the Chinese Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. The purchase price, including aircraft, support and training services, and ammunition, totaled $1.6 billion.
The first JF-17C fighter jet purchased in Pakistan was presented to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on September 25, 2024. Presumably, deliveries of the first batch will be completed before the end of 2027.
Azerbaijan will receive aircraft in the latest version of the Block.3, equipped with the KLJ-7A radar developed by the Chinese CETC Corporation (China Electronic Technology Group Corporation) with an active antenna array with electronic scanning (AESA), advanced electronic warfare systems, will be able to carry more payloads, as well as use a wider range of weapons, including Chinese long-range missiles PL-15 and PL-10. air-to-air class, as well as Turkish-made Gokdogan and Bozdogan UR.
