Azerbaijan, Pakistan aim to jointly produce J-17, a China-made fighter jet

Built on a strong defence relationship that now plays a key role in their strategic plans, Azerbaijan and Pakistan partnership has steadily increased their military cooperation having a shared history and common security concerns. During their recent meeting, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif focussed on jointly manufacturing defence equipment as a step to reinforce mutual trust and enhance their strategic capabilities.

According to Geo TV, President Aliyev suggested that Azerbaijan aims to leverage Pakistan’s strong defence industry to widen its export markets while Prime Minister Sharif emphasised that both sides were fully committed to establishing joint defence production. One major outcome of this collaboration has been Azerbaijan’s acquisition of JF-17 Block III fighter jets from Pakistan, a deal valued at approximately $1.6 billion, marking a significant milestone in their defence ties.

F-17 is an ironical choice, given the fighter jet was developed by China and in a collaboration, it started to produce with Pakistan. Experts point out that the China-Pakistan joint production exercise is almost completely driven by China itself. This makes Azerbaijan-Pakistan deal a matter of curiosity. None of the partner countries are known to have fighter jet manufacturing tech ability.

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However, the inclusion of the JF-17 Block III aircraft in Azerbaijan’s air fleet indicates its growing military cooperation with Pakistan, which is has been on a search for such partnership to establish its military tech capability.

The aircraft, according to EurAsian Times, integrates a Russian engine, a Chinese airframe and Western avionics, to qualify as a modern multi-role combat jet. The induction of the JF-17 Block III aircraft into Azerbaijan’s defence system is a strategic move, particularly in light of regional tensions, including conflicts over Nagorno-Karabakh bordering its arch-rival Armenia.

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With Pakistan wishing to become a major arms exporter, based on how much support it can garner from China, its defence cooperation Azerbaijan is at the core of their bilateral relationship. Their current trade volume stands at about $40 million, but they have set an ambitious goal of increasing it to $2 billion. Azerbaijan has established a chamber of commerce in Islamabad for improving communication between businesses and government bodies in both nations.

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According to The Dawn, Prime Minister Sharif eyes to set up a Pakistan Chamber of Commerce in Baku for exploring trade and investment opportunities. These chambers could collect and exchange information in real-time, helping traders and investors, Sharif said.

Alongside institutional measures, policy initiatives have also been introduced. As reported by Geo TV, Azerbaijan’s president recently removed import duties on Pakistani basmati rice, a move that demonstrates a willingness to lower trade barriers and increase economic cooperation. Such policies are expected to create a more integrated trade framework allowing a wider range of products—including agricultural goods, textiles, pharmaceuticals and technology—to flow between the two countries.

Energy cooperation

Energy plays a crucial role in the Azerbaijan-Pakistan partnership supporting their efforts in defence and trade. Pakistan has long depended on Azerbaijani oil and gas and both countries are now working towards a more stable and sustainable energy future.

According to Geo TV, during Prime Minister Sharif’s recent visit to Baku, Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company (SOCAR) signed several important agreements with Pakistan. One of the key outcomes was the extension of the LNG framework agreement for another two years, reinforcing Azerbaijan’s position as a reliable energy provider for South Asia.

These agreements are essential for Pakistan as they help diversify its energy sources and reduce dependence on traditional suppliers. The establishment of a trading company to manage LNG transactions highlights the commitment to long-term energy security.

This cooperation is expected to strengthen regional energy networks improving connectivity not only between Azerbaijan and Pakistan but also across the broader Eurasian region. Additionally, Azerbaijan has pledged to invest $2 billion in Pakistan’s energy infrastructure, a move that is expected to boost economic growth and ensure a more stable energy supply for the region.

Regional connectivity

Azerbaijan and Pakistan are using their strategic locations to improve regional connectivity. Azerbaijan, with its strong infrastructure along the North-South and East-West corridors serves as an important transit hub. This creates valuable opportunities for Pakistan to expand its trade into Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe.

According to The Dawn, President Aliyev instructed his transportation teams to strengthen ties with their Pakistani counterparts to integrate Azerbaijan’s transit network with Pakistan’s growing trade system.

Developing direct transportation links, such as boosting the role of Gwadar Port, is expected to create faster and more cost-effective trade routes. These initiatives aim to promote regional economic growth and highlight the importance of Azerbaijan and Pakistan’s strategic partnership.

Additionally, these connectivity projects align with their diplomatic cooperation as both countries support each other on international platforms including not very friendly ties with India.

Cementing a multifaceted partnership

The growing partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan represents a modern strategic alliance that brings together defence cooperation, expanding trade goals and sustainable energy collaboration. According to Geo TV, both countries are prioritising defence ties by investing in joint production initiatives and upgrading their military capabilities.

At the same time, the ambitious plan to boost bilateral trade to $2 billion highlights the understanding that economic strength is key to long-term stability. While defence and trade remain central to their partnership, energy cooperation is also a crucial pillar of their relationship.

President liyev set to visit Pakistan in April to finalise further investment agreements. His visit is likely to focus on defence, trade and energy ties, reports from Pakistani media suggest.