Pakistan seals deal to supply JF-17 fighter jets to Azerbaijan

Pakistan’s military announced on Thursday that it has signed a contract to sell JF-17 Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan. The aircraft, co-produced by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and developed in collaboration with China, with whom Islamabad has grown increasingly close as ties with traditional military ally the United States have weakened over the last few years.

While the specific cost or number of jets involved in the deal was not disclosed, the military emphasised that the agreement reflects Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation with friendly nations and boosting Azerbaijan’s air power.

Pakistan is also a close ally of Turkey, which backed Azerbaijan in its standoff with Armenia when clashes erupted between the two South Caucasus countries last year, resuming decades-old hostilities.

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Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev was in Pakistan in July on a state visit where the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in a number of areas, including defence.

Following the visit, Pakistan deployed an air force contingent at Baku to participate in the Azerbaijan defence exhibition to showcase the aircraft, Pakistan’s military said.
The aircraft “is capable of undertaking a wide array of combat missions providing contemporary airpower employment options,” the statement added.

With inputs from agencies.