Azerbaijan has signed an important agreement to procure 40 JF-17 fighter jets from Pakistan. This development, announced by the Pakistani government through its official X account, deepens defense cooperation between the two countries and may also open new doors for Turkey. It was stated that the agreement includes a $2 billion investment and a total defense package of $4,6 billion.
Azerbaijani Air Force Strengthens with JF-17 Block III
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev examined the JF-2024 Block III fighter jets ordered from Pakistan at Heydar Aliyev International Airport at the end of 17 and announced that these aircraft would be delivered to the Azerbaijani Air Force in the near future. The latest version of the JF-2019, Block III, which made its first flight in 17, will provide a significant increase in the country's air power when it joins the Azerbaijani Air Force inventory.
The JF-17 Block III has features such as advanced avionics, a modernized cockpit, a new radar, and increased weapons carrying capacity. The procurement of these aircraft by Azerbaijan is considered a remarkable development, especially in terms of the balance of air forces in the region.
Turkish Ammunition Integration Potential: Ankara-Baku-Islamabad Triangle
Azerbaijan’s decision to procure JF-17 Block III could also open important doors for Turkey. Experts believe that the potential Turkish ammunition to be added to JF-17s could start a new and critical period in the Ankara-Baku-Islamabad triangle. This potential cooperation could further strengthen the defense industry and strategic ties of the three countries.
Held in Azerbaijan last September ADEX 24 defense fair, had witnessed many important agreements between Turkish defense industry companies and Azerbaijan. At the fair in question, Defense Industries Presidency (SSB) President Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün had meetings with Azerbaijani Vice President Halid Ahadov and Deputy Defense Minister Agil Gurbanov. It was also stated that Görgün had a productive meeting with Azerbaijani Air Force Deputy Commander Major General Namig İslamzade regarding Turkish defense industry technologies, business partnerships and projects that the Azerbaijani Army may need in the future.
Accordingly, with Azerbaijan receiving the JF-17 Block IIIs, which it has been interested in for a long time, in addition to the ammunition developed by Azerbaijan, ammunition and subsystems supplied from Türkiye will be able to serve on the JF-17. In addition to Pakistan and Nigeria, which are already actively using ASELPOD, it was stated that Azerbaijan will also be a new user of ASELPOD, as seen during Aliyev’s inspections of the JF-17. The integration of Turkish defense industry products such as ASELPOD into the JF-17 platform will both increase the export of Turkish defense industry products and increase the operational flexibility and effectiveness of the Azerbaijani Air Force.
This agreement will not only increase Azerbaijan's military capacity, but will also reveal how regional strategic cooperation and defense industry supply chains are taking shape.
