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Azerbaijan Introduces JF-17C Fighter Jets into Air Force

By Ilham Karimli September 26, 2024

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President Ilham Aliyev in the cabin of JF-17C (Block-III) fighter jet during the formal presentation ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan, September 25, 2024 / President.Az

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday attended a formal presentation of the JF-17C (Block-III) multirole fighter jets, at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

The state-of-the-art fighter jets are jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation of China.

The lightweight jets, capable of operating in all weather conditions during day and night, have officially been enlisted to the Azerbaijani Air Force, President.az reported.

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Defense Colonel General Zakir Hasanov and PAC Chairman Vice Marshal Hakim Raza provided President Aliyev with detailed information on the aircraft’s tactical and technical features, as well as its operational guidelines.

The JF-17C (Block-III) is a single-engine multirole combat aircraft equipped with air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities allowing high performance in a variety of weather and combat conditions. Unlike its predecessor JF-17 Thunder, the Block-III version features significant upgrades, including advanced avionics, a new AESA radar, improved electronic warfare capabilities, and enhanced targeting systems.

According to foreign media reports, the $1.6 billion deal covers the import of 30 units of JF-17 (Block-III) jets to Azerbaijan.

Last week, President Aliyev stressed enhancing Azerbaijan’s military power as number one priority.

"Following the Second Karabakh War, we have significantly increased our military capacity ... The combat capability of our army is increasing and their provision with equipment is and will be maintained at the required level,” he said, stating that the rise of new conflicts, the emergence of war zones, and increasing tensions in the region, coupled with Armenia's growing desire for revenge, require to maintain constant focus on this area.

Around $4 billion is envisaged for defense and national security in the 2025 draft budget of Azerbaijan. These expenditures account for nearly 17 per cent of the budget spending.

In the 2024 annual review of Global Firepower (GFP), Azerbaijan ranks 59 among 145 countries. The country’s military is the strongest in the South Caucasus, considerably exceeding the militaries of neighboring Georgia and Armenia, which stand at 84 and 102 in the GFP rankings, respectively.

According to GFP data, the Air Force of Azerbaijan totals 144 aircraft, including the Russia-made MiG and Su fighter jets, as well as transport aircraft and trainers. According to multiple reports, during the Second Karabakh War on September 27 - November 9, 2020, the Azerbaijani Air Force conducted airstrikes on Armenian armed positions using Su-25 aircraft, which targeted Armenian military nodes operating at high altitudes.

In June, the Azerbaijan Air Force received a "C-27J Spartan" military transport aircraft from Italy's "Leonardo" company. The Azerbaijan Defense Ministry stated that the "C-27J Spartan" will be used for military transport, airdrops of paratroopers and cargo, and conducting medical missions.

Widely recognized as the most effective multi-role military transport aircraft in its size class, the "C-27J Spartan" features new avionics and aerodynamic developments for greater efficiency and improved operating performance. The system architecture guarantees interoperability with other transport aircraft and can be easily integrated with in-flight refueling, self-protection, secure communications, and ballistic protection, allowing the aircraft to operate in high-threat environments, transporting materials, light vehicles, and personnel to wherever they are needed.