Jf-17 Fighter Jet: Azerbaijan's Potential Military Upgrade

Azerbaijan has shown interest in purchasing JF-17 Thunder jets from Pakistan. The country's military attaché to Pakistan, Colonel Mehman Novruzov, stated that the acquisition of these jets is a key issue on the bilateral agenda in the field of military cooperation. Azerbaijan is reportedly considering buying the state-of-the-art Block 3 variant of the JF-17, which offers upgraded cockpit electronics and radar systems. While no contract has been signed as of 2024, Azerbaijan's acquisition of the JF-17 jets would be a significant addition to their air force and could enhance their military capabilities.

Azerbaijan's interest in buying JF-17 Thunder jets from Pakistan

Azerbaijan has been interested in purchasing JF-17 Thunder jets from Pakistan since at least 2018, with negotiations between the two countries taking place at the international exhibition IDEAS-2018 in Karachi. Azerbaijan's acquisition of these jets is a "key issue on the bilateral agenda in the field of military cooperation".

In 2024, Azerbaijan reportedly signed a contract to buy an undisclosed number of JF-17 Block-III fighter jets from Pakistan in a deal worth $1.6 billion. This deal is said to be the largest export deal for Pakistan's Military Industrial Complex. The JF-17C Block III jets are the latest iteration of the fighter aircraft, capable of carrying 8 missiles of various types and equipped with modern radars and electronic warfare systems.

The sale of Pakistani fighter jets to Azerbaijan has been the subject of recurring speculation since 2007. The relationship between the two countries is diplomatically strategic, with Pakistan being the second country to recognise Azerbaijan's independence in 1991. The two countries, along with Turkey, are often referred to as the "Three Brothers".

Azerbaijan's interest in buying the JF-17 Thunder jets from Pakistan can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Azerbaijan has historically relied on Russia as its largest supplier of arms, but due to the war in Ukraine, the country is looking for alternatives. Additionally, Azerbaijan's current fleet of aircraft, including MiG-29s and SU-25s, is ageing, with a median airframe age of over 30 years. The JF-17 Block III, on the other hand, offers improved capabilities and enhanced radar systems, outmatching the region's current aircraft.

Furthermore, the JF-17 Thunder jets are competitively priced, and Pakistan has offered guarantees of supply chain resilience against possible sanctions. The deal also includes ammunition supplies and pilot training, making it an attractive option for Azerbaijan to renew its fleet and establish the necessary infrastructure.

The fighter jets are a key issue on the bilateral agenda in the field of military cooperation

Azerbaijan's interest in purchasing JF-17 fighter jets from Pakistan underscores the significance of military cooperation between the two countries. The acquisition of these advanced aircraft has been a key item on the bilateral agenda, with Azerbaijan seeking to modernize and enhance its air force capabilities.

The JF-17 Thunder jets, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, offer state-of-the-art technology, including upgraded cockpit electronics and radar systems. Azerbaijan's focus on acquiring these fighter jets aligns with its efforts to upgrade its military equipment and collaborate with various Asian countries to revolutionize its air force.

The negotiations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan on the purchase of the JF-17 Block II combat aircraft have been ongoing, with reports suggesting that all issues related to the export have been resolved. The aircraft have already been tested and proven in practice by the Pakistani military, showcasing their advanced avionics and electronic security systems.

The deal is expected to involve the delivery of 24 JF-17 fighter jets to Azerbaijan, with a total value of $500 million. This significant investment will substantially expand Azerbaijan's air force capabilities and potentially allow for the retirement of older aircraft models. Additionally, the JF-17 Block III variant, with its advanced radar and missile systems, offers capabilities that surpass those of neighboring countries, further emphasizing its importance in Azerbaijan's military strategy.

The fighter jets are a critical component of the bilateral relationship between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, and their acquisition will undoubtedly strengthen Azerbaijan's military capabilities and contribute to its strategic objectives.

Azerbaijan's air force is making efforts to upgrade its assets, especially fighter jets

Azerbaijan's Air Force has been taking steps to upgrade its assets, especially its fighter jets. In February 2024, the country signed a $1.6 billion deal with Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) for the purchase of JF-17 Block III combat aircraft, also known as the JF-17 Thunder. This deal includes pilot training and ammunition, such as air-to-surface missiles, and will boost Baku's defence capabilities amid tensions with Armenia.

The JF-17 Thunder is a lightweight, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. It was designed to replace the A-5C, F-7P/PG, Mirage III, and Mirage V combat aircraft in the Pakistan Air Force. The aircraft can be used for multiple roles, including interception, ground attack, anti-ship, and aerial reconnaissance. The JF-17 is highly cost-effective, coming at roughly half the cost of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The Block III variant of the JF-17 features enhanced weapons capabilities, making it more versatile in different combat scenarios. It can deploy a range of ordnance, including air-to-air, air-to-surface, and anti-ship missiles, as well as guided and unguided bombs. It is also equipped with the PL-15 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile, which has a range of up to 300 kilometres. The Block III variant has an improved engine, possibly an enhanced derivative of the RD-33MK or the WS 10A, which contributes to better performance and agility.

The JF-17 Block III has a top speed of approximately Mach 2 (2,470 kilometres per hour) and can fly at a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 (1,200 miles per hour or 1,910 kilometres per hour). It has a range of 1,200 kilometres and is capable of delivering precision strikes, making it a valuable asset for Azerbaijan's air defence. The aircraft's agility and manoeuvrability are crucial for air combat, and its advanced radar system, including an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, enhances situational awareness and target tracking. The Block III also features a helmet-mounted display (HMD) for improved pilot targeting and engagement.

The inclusion of the JF-17C Block III in Azerbaijan's Air Force strengthens the country's military capabilities and enhances its operational readiness, particularly in light of regional security challenges. It is a significant upgrade to the country's combat capabilities, as the existing fleet of fighter jets, including MiG-21s, MiG-29s, Su-24s, and Su-25s, is quite aged, with the median airframe age exceeding 30 years. The acquisition of the JF-17C Block III marks a substantial leap in technology and firepower for Azerbaijan's Air Force.

The Block II aircraft has improved avionics and electronic security systems

The Block II variant of the JF-17 Thunder is a significant upgrade over its predecessor. One of its most notable improvements is the advanced avionics package, which includes a 32-bit Weapon and Mission Management Computer (WMMC). This computer system performs a range of critical functions, including mission computations, flight management, reconfiguration, redundancy management, and in-flight system self-tests. The Block II also features an advanced multi-track, multi-mode, pulse Doppler radar for enhanced air-to-air and air-to-surface attack capabilities.

The Block II's electronic security systems have also been enhanced. The aircraft is equipped with a Self-Production Jammer (SPJ), Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS), Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), and Chaff & Flare Dispenser (CFD) to counter enemy radar and missile threats. Additionally, the Block II has an advanced Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system, which implements a secure mode for electronic warfare environments. This system ensures positive identification of friendly forces while avoiding detection by enemy forces.

The Block II also features a glass cockpit design with Smart Multifunction Colour Displays (SMFCD) and a Smart Heads-Up Display (SHUD) with built-in symbol generation capability, optimizing the integrated architecture of the aircraft's systems. The Block II's flight control system has also been upgraded to a quadruplex, digital, fly-by-wire system, with two hydraulic systems for backup, ensuring precise and reliable control of the aircraft.

The radar system in the Block II has also been improved. The Chinese KLJ-7 radar, developed by the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology (NRIET), is a multi-function X-band Pulse-Doppler fire-control radar. It offers a detection range of over 105 km for targets with a radar cross-section (RCS) of 5 m2. The radar can manage up to 40 targets, track 10 targets simultaneously, and engage 2 targets beyond visual range (BVR) simultaneously. The KLJ-7 also provides guidance for medium and long-range missiles and has 14 operational modes for versatile mission capabilities.

Azerbaijan's purchase of 24 JF-17 jets will cost a total of $500 million

Azerbaijan is reportedly interested in purchasing Pakistani JF-17 Thunder jets. In 2018, negotiations between the two countries on the purchase of 24 JF-17 Block II combat aircraft were coming to an end, with all issues related to the export to Azerbaijan resolved. Azerbaijan's acquisition of these jets from Pakistan was described as a "key issue on the bilateral agenda in the field of military cooperation" by the military attaché of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Pakistan, Colonel Mehman Novruzov.

The JF-17 Block II aircraft have improved avionics and electronic security systems and are equipped with AESA radar from China and Italy. They can carry guided missiles and bombs of various types. It is assumed that 24 such aircraft will be delivered to Azerbaijan, costing a total of $500 million. This purchase will significantly strengthen Azerbaijan's Air Force.

In July 2023, Azerbaijan joined Turkey's Kaan fighter jet project, indicating that Baku will eventually procure these aircraft. However, the Kaan project is still in its early stages, with procurement for the Azeri Air Force not expected until the 2030s when full production is underway.

In September 2024, Pakistan's military announced that it had signed a contract to sell JF-17 Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan. The exact cost and quantity of jets were not disclosed, but the sale was said to be part of Islamabad's efforts to enhance defence cooperation and bolster the air power capabilities of Azerbaijan.

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