Azerbaijan President boarding the "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet
According to local Azerbaijani media Aze.media, Azerbaijan signed a contract for the procurement of 16 "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jets in February 2024, with a total value of $1.6 billion. Currently, Azerbaijan will additionally order 24 "JF-17 Block III" fighter jets. The total value of this transaction will reach $4.2 billion. This is an important step in strengthening the country's air force power. If confirmed by the Azerbaijani government, this will mark a critical moment in the security landscape of the South Caucasus region. It highlights Azerbaijan's determination to modernize its air force and utilize cost-effective and mature technologies to enhance its strategic capabilities, especially against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between it and neighboring Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The 2020 conflict allowed Azerbaijan to reclaim large areas of territory, highlighting the importance of air superiority and precision strike capabilities, which the "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jets possess.
Foreign media report
The Bulgarian defense website stated that Azerbaijan's choice of the "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet rather than other options, such as Western or Russian fighters, was based on comprehensive considerations of cost, performance, and geopolitical factors. The "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet was jointly developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group, providing an economical alternative to more expensive Western fighters (such as F-16 or Eurofighter Typhoon). Its relatively low acquisition and maintenance costs make it an ideal choice for countries seeking advanced capabilities without bearing the financial burden of top-tier Western fighters. Moreover, the aircraft is compatible with various munitions, including Turkey's advanced "Gökdoğan" beyond-visual-range missiles and "Bozdoğan" close-range missiles, enhancing its appeal to Azerbaijan, which maintains close defense relations with Ankara. The increase in Azerbaijan's orders may also be influenced by the performance of the JF-17 in recent South Asian conflicts, particularly between India and Pakistan. Pakistani sources claim that the "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet, along with China's produced J-10 fighter, achieved significant success in May, including reportedly destroying India's S-400 air defense system in Punjab Province. This also highlights the practical advantages of the mature and cost-effective "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet, supported by Pakistan and China's active marketing efforts and flexible defense partnerships. China has positioned the "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet as the cornerstone of its defense exports, challenging Western dominance in the global arms market.
"JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet
How powerful is the "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet? European media commented: "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet is a single-engine multirole fighter, with a length of 14.93 meters, equipped with a Russian RD-93MA turbofan engine, maximum speed can reach 1.6 Mach, and maximum flight altitude can reach 50,000 feet (about 15,000 meters). The aircraft is also equipped with the KLJ-7A active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for long-range target tracking. The "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet is equipped with avionics and helmet-mounted display systems, capable of carrying various weapons, including guided bombs, anti-ship missiles, and PL-15E air-to-air missiles. Due to having eight hardpoints, the aircraft can carry up to 4,000 kilograms of weapons. This will significantly enhance Azerbaijan's military strength. The design of the aircraft emphasizes economy and adaptability, with an estimated single-unit cost of $25 to $30 million, far lower than Western counterparts like the F-16, whose single-unit cost may exceed $60 million. Its open architecture avionics are easy to integrate new systems, ensuring long-term practicality. The combat radius of the "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet is approximately 1,200 kilometers, and it can take off and land at rudimentary airfields, making it highly suitable for Azerbaijan's strategic needs, especially in the rugged South Caucasus region.
"JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet becomes the focus
According to "Asian Defense Security", the "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet participated in multinational exercises such as "Spear of Victory 2025" in Saudi Arabia alongside advanced fighters like the European "Rafale" and American F-15, highlighting its growing recognition in the global defense domain. The adoption of the "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet by countries such as Azerbaijan, Myanmar, and Nigeria indicates China's strategy of offering reasonably priced and highly capable military equipment to countries seeking alternatives to Western or Russian systems. For Azerbaijan, the "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jet orders will consolidate China's foothold in the region amidst competition with Russia, Turkey, and Western powers. The integration of Turkish missiles with Azerbaijan's "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jets further highlights the growing defense cooperation among non-Western powers, a trend that could reshape regional alliances. As China and Pakistan expand their defense influence, and India struggles to export its "Tejas" fighter jets, the global arms market continues to evolve, raising questions about the balance of power in regions like the South Caucasus.
India once proudly displayed the "Akash" air defense system
On the other hand, Armenia maintains friendly relations with India. For India, Armenia is not only a political partner in the region but also a defense partner. Armenia supports India's position in Jammu and Kashmir. India provided Armenia with the "Akash" air defense system. This system is particularly important for Armenia. Armenia also obtained ammunition, "Pinaka" multiple rocket launchers, and anti-tank weapons from India. Modernized towed howitzers were also procured from India. Originally, the $720 million order for 15 sets of Akash air defense weapons in July 2022 was planned to be delivered by 2027. At that time, Armenia became the first overseas buyer of Indian weapons. In November 2024, India delivered the first batch of "Akash" air defense missile systems to Armenia, including a radar system and four launch vehicles. India plans to begin delivering the second batch of equipment in July 2025. However, due to India's performance on the battlefield, particularly the disastrous defeat in the May Indo-Pakistani conflict, Armenia began to question the rationality of this order, worrying that the "Akash" air defense missiles might not be able to cope with China's "JF-17 Thunder" fighter jets in future conflicts with Azerbaijan. Now, Armenia might regret deeply... Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7511329896552235529/ Disclaimer: The article represents the author's personal views. Please express your opinions by clicking the "Like/Dislike" buttons below.