Azerbaijan has decided to purchase JF-17 Block III fighter jets, mainly from Pakistan, reportedly in a $1.6 billion deal to its air force fleet. The jets have already been incorporated into the arsenal of the Air Force of Azerbaijan.
The presidency of Azerbaijan claimed in a declaration after President Ilham Aliyev was legally revealed with the multi-role aircraft at Heydar Aliyev International Airport a few days ago during a ceremony attended by Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov.
At the meeting or ceremony held on the margins of Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition 2024 in the area of Baku. Air Vice Marshal Hakeem Razo chairman of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Board, gave instructions to President Aliyev about the jet fighters, the cutting-edge technology of the jet’s technical specifications, key performance indicators, and operational guidelines of the jet.
Read more: Pakistan equips JF-17 Thunder jets with nuclear-capable Ra’ad cruise missiles
President Aliyev was captured sitting inside a JF-17C Block III fighter jet. Besides inspecting or evaluating the aircraft, he observed an aerial demonstration that exhibited the agility and flexibility of the fighter jet.
The inter-services public relations declaration revealed on Thursday claimed a contract for the sale of JF-17 Block III fighter aircraft to Azerbaijan was recently signed. Azerbaijan has become the third country to get JF-17 fighters from Pakistan after Nigeria and Myanmar. It has been long considered and speculated that Iraq is also thinking about the purchase of the JF-17 jet from Pakistan. It is believed that the agreement was linked in February this year 2024.
The ISPR claimed that the President of Azerbaijan during his visit to Islamabad in July was given briefings on the versatile employment options and combat capabilities of the fighter aircraft JF-17C. It claims that President Aliyev had on that occasion presided over the team saying it would go a long way in strengthening the present military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, creating closer defense cooperation.
Reports in Azerbaijani media had revealed that aircraft was purchased under a $1.6 billion deal for an unnamed number of jets, armament, and training.
JF-17 Block III, created by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the Chengdu Aircraft of China Industry Group, is proud of its advanced avionics, including long-range missile capabilities and an active electronically scanned array radar. The lightweight single-engine fighter is created in such a way for air-to-air and air-to-ground operations and is extremely renowned for its high flexibility at medium and low altitudes.