New order for 24 Chinese JF-17s reported in South Caucasus
Azerbaijan is reportedly expanding its order of Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets, with unconfirmed sources suggesting a boost from 16 to 40 units. If confirmed, this $4.2 billion deal would significantly enhance Azerbaijan’s air force and deepen its defense ties with Pakistan, amid ongoing tensions in the South Caucasus region.
The initial $1.6 billion contract for 16 jets was finalized in February 2024, with deliveries starting by October. These jets are not replacing existing aircraft but augmenting Azerbaijan’s capabilities beyond aging Soviet-era MiG-29s and Su-25s. The JF-17 Block III, developed by Pakistan and China, offers modern avionics, AESA radar, helmet-mounted displays, and compatibility with advanced munitions like Turkey’s Gökdoğan and Bozdoğan missiles, reflecting Azerbaijan’s growing defense synergy with Turkey and Pakistan.
Cost-effectiveness is a key driver behind Azerbaijan’s choice. At around $25–30 million per unit, the JF-17 is more affordable than Western jets like the F-16, yet still offers high-end features such as the PL-15E long-range air-to-air missile, an operational ceiling of 50,000 feet, and a combat radius of 1,200 kilometers. Its open-architecture design also allows integration of various weapons and systems.
Recent claims from Pakistani sources allege JF-17s destroyed an Indian S-400 system in May 2025, though these remain unverified and are dismissed by India. Still, such reports may have influenced perceptions of the jet’s battlefield effectiveness. Meanwhile, India’s Tejas fighter, despite its advanced design, continues to struggle with exports and combat validation.
Azerbaijan’s interest in the JF-17 aligns with a broader strategy to modernize its air force in light of its ongoing rivalry with Armenia and the lessons of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Participation of the JF-17 in multinational exercises like Spears of Victory 2025 further boosts its international credibility.
The potential deal also underscores China’s growing influence in the global arms market, offering affordable, capable alternatives to Russian and Western systems. Integration of Turkish missiles into Azerbaijani JF-17s signals deeper trilateral defense cooperation among non-Western powers.
However, the lack of official confirmation from Baku raises doubts about the reported scale and cost of the expanded order. The figure of $4.2 billion may include munitions, training, or support services. Until verified, these reports remain speculative, though they highlight Azerbaijan’s shifting defense priorities and the JF-17’s rising prominence on the global stage.
#bundeswehr #europeandefense #geopolitics #germanmilitary #globalsecurity #defensestrategy #internationalrelations #militaryalliance #historicalmoment
for details
https://bulgarianmilitary.com/amp/2025/05/26/new-order-for-24-chinese-jf-17s-reported-in-south-caucasus/
Видео New order for 24 Chinese JF-17s reported in South Caucasus канала Trend Rond
The initial $1.6 billion contract for 16 jets was finalized in February 2024, with deliveries starting by October. These jets are not replacing existing aircraft but augmenting Azerbaijan’s capabilities beyond aging Soviet-era MiG-29s and Su-25s. The JF-17 Block III, developed by Pakistan and China, offers modern avionics, AESA radar, helmet-mounted displays, and compatibility with advanced munitions like Turkey’s Gökdoğan and Bozdoğan missiles, reflecting Azerbaijan’s growing defense synergy with Turkey and Pakistan.
Cost-effectiveness is a key driver behind Azerbaijan’s choice. At around $25–30 million per unit, the JF-17 is more affordable than Western jets like the F-16, yet still offers high-end features such as the PL-15E long-range air-to-air missile, an operational ceiling of 50,000 feet, and a combat radius of 1,200 kilometers. Its open-architecture design also allows integration of various weapons and systems.
Recent claims from Pakistani sources allege JF-17s destroyed an Indian S-400 system in May 2025, though these remain unverified and are dismissed by India. Still, such reports may have influenced perceptions of the jet’s battlefield effectiveness. Meanwhile, India’s Tejas fighter, despite its advanced design, continues to struggle with exports and combat validation.
Azerbaijan’s interest in the JF-17 aligns with a broader strategy to modernize its air force in light of its ongoing rivalry with Armenia and the lessons of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Participation of the JF-17 in multinational exercises like Spears of Victory 2025 further boosts its international credibility.
The potential deal also underscores China’s growing influence in the global arms market, offering affordable, capable alternatives to Russian and Western systems. Integration of Turkish missiles into Azerbaijani JF-17s signals deeper trilateral defense cooperation among non-Western powers.
However, the lack of official confirmation from Baku raises doubts about the reported scale and cost of the expanded order. The figure of $4.2 billion may include munitions, training, or support services. Until verified, these reports remain speculative, though they highlight Azerbaijan’s shifting defense priorities and the JF-17’s rising prominence on the global stage.
#bundeswehr #europeandefense #geopolitics #germanmilitary #globalsecurity #defensestrategy #internationalrelations #militaryalliance #historicalmoment
for details
https://bulgarianmilitary.com/amp/2025/05/26/new-order-for-24-chinese-jf-17s-reported-in-south-caucasus/
Видео New order for 24 Chinese JF-17s reported in South Caucasus канала Trend Rond
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26 мая 2025 г. 23:29:26
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