Three FC-1 "Jianglong" fighter jets arrived in Azerbaijan, and the White House realized it had been deceived: China is planning a grand strategy!
Two FC-1 Block 3 fighter jets and one dual-seat FC-1B trainer jet have recently appeared at an Azerbaijani air force base, marking the actual delivery phase of the record-breaking defense agreement between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
This $4.6 billion deal includes the supply of 40 JF-17 "Jianglong" fighter jets, which not only represents Pakistan's largest defense export order to date, but also quietly changes the balance of power in the South Caucasus region.
The FC-1 Block 3 is equipped with a digital flight control system comparable to that of the J-10C, and features a domestically produced active phased array radar, with a detection range and accuracy 50% higher than its predecessor, capable of successfully locking targets from 180 kilometers away. This indicates that Azerbaijan has chosen Chinese technology equipment instead of American weapons in the crucial core areas of national defense modernization.
Going back to August 2025, the White House prompted Azerbaijan and Armenia to sign a joint statement.
The core content of the agreement was the "Zangazur Corridor." The United States obtained exclusive development rights for the corridor for 99 years, including the right to build railways, oil and gas pipelines, fiber optic cables, and other infrastructure. The United States has long wanted to establish its influence in the South Caucasus, thereby pushing out Russian influence in the region.
However, Azerbaijan's large-scale introduction of the FC-1 fighter jets, in some ways, offset the U.S. geopolitical strategy. Through defense cooperation with China and Pakistan, Azerbaijan has gained more leverage in terms of strategic autonomy.
U.S. companies, having lost their military advantage, are almost sitting ducks in the Zangazur Corridor. If the FC-1 and J-10C are widely deployed in the Azerbaijani Air Force, how much confidence will the U.S. have left to interfere in the Zangazur Corridor?
Think about the moment when the Rafale was shot down by the J-10CE. Who guarantees that the F-16 won't be shot down by the J-10CE or the FC-1?
At this point, the White House may finally realize that China has not directly intervened in the South Caucasus, but like the China-Central Asia-Uzbekistan Railway, it is actually planning a larger chess game.
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1846377605662859/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.