Pakistan signs agreement to supply JF-17 Block-III fighter jets to Azerbaijan

President Aliyev thanks Pakistan, says deal would strengthen military cooperation between both nations

The Pakistan Army announced on Thursday that it has signed a deal with Azerbaijan for the sale of JF-17 Block-III fighter jets, aiming to enhance the airpower capabilities of the Western Asian country.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) relies heavily on its fleet of Chinese JF-17 Thunder jets, French Mirage aircraft, and ageing American F-16s. In 2022, the PAF also added next-generation Chinese J-10 C fighter jets to its arsenal.

In a statement released on Thursday by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military media wing, it was noted that Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for Pakistan’s support, emphasising that this agreement would further solidify the military cooperation between the two nations. 

He also highlighted that the deal would foster closer defence collaboration and strengthen the longstanding brotherly relationship between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

While specific details of the agreement, such as the number of jets and the financial terms, were not disclosed, the ISPR described the JF-17 Block-III as a 4.5-generation, multi-role fighter aircraft equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array radar and long-range Beyond Visual Range capabilities. 

This cutting-edge fighter jet is capable of executing a wide range of combat missions, significantly boosting Azerbaijan's airpower and national security.

The ISPR also provided background on the deal, stating that during his visit to Pakistan in July 2024, President Aliyev was briefed on the JF-17 Block-III’s combat capabilities and operational versatility. 

Following his visit and at the request of the Azerbaijani government, Pakistan deployed a PAF contingent to Baku to participate in ADEX-2024. The event featured both aerial demonstrations and a static display of the JF-17 Block-III, showcasing the fighter jet's prowess.

During the deployment, the JF-17 performed air-to-air refuelling from Pakistan's Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, demonstrating the fighter jet's long-range capabilities by flying to Baku in a single sortie. 

President Aliyev later inspected the static display and witnessed a live aerial performance, which highlighted the agility and manoeuvrability of the JF-17, as well as the professional skills of Pakistan's pilots.