Currently, there is growing speculation among global defense circles that Azerbaijan may have significantly increased its order of JF-17 “Thunder” light multirole fighter aircraft from an initial 16 units to an impressive 40, in a deal reportedly worth US$4.2 billion (RM18.48 billion).
The aircraft in question are believed to be the latest and most advanced version of the JF-17 family—Block III—a 4.5-generation fighter co-developed by Pakistan and China, recognized as one of the most cost-effective combat aircraft available in the current global market.
Despite the flurry of reports circulating in both regional and international media, there has been no official confirmation to date from the Azerbaijani, Pakistani, or Chinese governments regarding the purported increase in the order. However, if confirmed, this expanded deal would mark a historic milestone for Pakistan’s aerospace industry, reflecting its transformation from a domestic defense producer to a competitive arms exporter capable of securing high-value contracts on the international stage.
Azerbaijan becomes the 4th country to aquire the JF-17 fighter
after Myanmar, Nigeria, and Iraq.The country spent $1.6 billion for an undisclosed number of JF-17 Block III fighters in a contract that includes a comprehensive package covering pilot training and armaments. pic.twitter.com/CS4qg5dAnn
— Defense News Nigeria (@DefenseNigeria) September 27, 2024
The JF-17 Thunder program, collaboratively led by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, has evolved into a key element of Islamabad’s defense diplomacy and industrial independence. This potential mega-order from Azerbaijan would not only enhance Pakistan’s reputation as a significant player in the global arms market but also provide substantial economic momentum to PAC, facilitating capacity growth and advanced research and development investments.
In sharp contrast, India’s indigenous Tejas program—while technically advanced—has not yet secured a single export client, with its attempt to supply the Royal Malaysian Air Force falling short against South Korea’s FA-50 Block 20 fighters. Malaysia’s choice of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)’s FA-50 over India’s Tejas underscores the intensifying competition in the light fighter market, where cost-effectiveness, operational readiness, and political alignment play crucial roles.
If Azerbaijan were to indeed increase its JF-17 acquisition to 40 aircraft, it would become the largest single export customer of the Thunder series and represent the most significant fighter jet export deal in Pakistan’s history, surpassing previous sales to Nigeria and Myanmar. PAC’s capability to fulfill such a contract would likely lead to heightened assembly line activity, increased demand for local aerospace subcontractors, and the development of a new generation of Pakistani aeronautical engineers and technicians.
Azerbaijan had already officially inducted 16 JF-17 Block III fighters in 2023, with the handover taking place in a televised ceremony at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, attended by President Ilham Aliyev. Images released by the Azerbaijani presidency depict President Aliyev personally seated in the cockpit of one of the newly delivered fighters, examining its onboard systems—a rare gesture that emphasizes the strategic importance of the acquisition.
OFFICIAL VIDEO: AZERBAIJAN 🇦🇿 CHOOSES THE JF-17 🇵🇰#Pakistan Aeronautical Complex’s JF-17 Thunder Block III 4+ generation multirole combat fighter aircraft presented to the President of the Republic of #Azerbaijan, whose Air Force is inducting a squadron into combat service. pic.twitter.com/cucisfrKVC
— The STRATCOM Bureau (@OSPSF) September 25, 2024
According to a statement made by the president at the time, “The fighter jets (JF-17 Block III) have been integrated into the Azerbaijan Air Force,” confirming that the jets are fully operational within the national air force. These aircraft are intended to replace Azerbaijan’s aging MiG-29 fighters of Russian origin, many of which are now becoming obsolete due to increasing maintenance costs and supply chain issues worsened by Moscow’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The transition from Russian to Pakistani-Chinese airframes indicates a broader strategic shift by Baku, as it aims to diversify its defense partnerships and lessen its reliance on traditional suppliers like Russia.
For Beijing and Islamabad, this contract—whether confirmed or not—marks a geo-strategic triumph: a successful entry into Central Asia’s lucrative defense market, which has been traditionally dominated by Russian aerospace giants such as Sukhoi and Mikoyan.
From a military perspective, the JF-17 Block III offers significant improvements over earlier variants, featuring avionics, weapons, and radar systems derived from China’s fifth-generation J-20 “Mighty Dragon” stealth fighter lineage. Among these enhancements is the KLJ-7A Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, developed by the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), which equips the JF-17 Block III with greatly enhanced situational awareness.
The KLJ-7A radar can detect and track fighter-sized targets at ranges exceeding 170 to 200 kilometers, and simultaneously track up to 20 targets while engaging multiple threats with long-range missiles such as the PL-15, a radar-guided missile with a range of 200–300 km.
Chinese analysts claim that the KLJ-7A is comparable in capability to the American AN/APG-81 radar found on the F-35 Lightning II, and the Russian N036 Byelka radar used in the Su-57 Felon—marking a technological leap for a fighter in this price class.
In terms of air-to-air armament, the Block III is designed to carry China’s PL-10 short-range infrared-guided missile, which boasts high off-boresight targeting and thrust vectoring, giving it capabilities on par with the U.S. AIM-9X.
For long-range engagements, the aircraft can deploy the PL-15, which provides it with beyond visual range superiority over most regional threats, including India’s Astra Mk-1 and R-77 derivatives.
However, media reports from September 2023 indicated that Azerbaijan may opt to integrate Turkish air-to-air missiles, namely the Gökdoğan BVRAAM and Bozdoğan WVRAAM, into its JF-17 fleet—signaling a multi-vector defence alignment involving Ankara.
These missiles, created by TÜBİTAK SAGE, provide NATO-standard capabilities and illustrate the growing military-industrial collaboration between Turkey and Azerbaijan, who share both strategic and ethnic connections.
Moreover, the avionics suite of Azerbaijan’s JF-17 Block III fighters is anticipated to incorporate Turkish-manufactured components, which will further enhance the platform’s support base and improve its resilience against Western electronic warfare.
This compatibility with Turkish and possibly NATO systems offers Azerbaijan distinct flexibility for future joint operations and regional scenarios, particularly in unstable areas like Nagorno-Karabakh.
In conclusion, Azerbaijan’s reported acquisition of 40 aircraft, if officially verified, could transform the export path of the JF-17 program and act as a model for future trilateral defense collaboration among Pakistan, China, and Turkey.
The success of the JF-17 in Azerbaijan may also spark interest from other Central Asian and African countries looking for cost-effective, high-performance fighter jets that are not hindered by Western export limitations or Russian supply issues.
As the global fighter market increasingly divides between costly Western fifth-generation platforms and outdated Soviet-era equipment, the JF-17 Block III presents a “middle-power solution” for emerging air forces aiming for both effectiveness and economic viability.
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