(VIDEO) JF-17 Thunder Breakthrough: Azerbaijan Signs $4.6 Billion Deal for 40 Pakistani-Chinese Block III Fighters
Jointly developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), the JF-17 Thunder has evolved into a cost-effective yet combat-proven fighter jet that is rapidly gaining traction across emerging air forces seeking next-generation capabilities without Western political entanglements.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — In a historic milestone for Pakistan’s growing defence exports, Islamabad has confirmed that Azerbaijan has inked a contract worth US$4.6 billion (RM20.24 billion) to acquire 40 JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter jets, representing one of the largest defence deals in the region in recent years.
Jointly developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), the JF-17 Thunder has evolved into a cost-effective yet combat-proven fighter jet that is rapidly gaining traction across emerging air forces seeking next-generation capabilities without Western political entanglements.
“This marks a significant step forward for Pakistan’s defence exports on the global stage.”
According to international defence sources, Azerbaijan has recently expanded its original procurement plan from 16 aircraft to 40 units, a move that underscores its strategic intent to modernize its air force with advanced fourth-generation-plus fighters.
All aircraft ordered are of the JF-17 Block III variant—the most advanced iteration of the platform—featuring cutting-edge avionics, AESA radar, advanced datalink integration, and air-to-air weaponry capable of engaging targets hundreds of kilometres away.
The acquisition delivers a resounding endorsement for Pakistan’s aerospace ambitions, especially as it overtakes India’s Tejas programme in securing foreign buyers—something New Delhi has not achieved despite aggressive marketing efforts in Southeast Asia and beyond.
India had actively lobbied to sell its indigenous HAL Tejas to the Royal Malaysian Air Force, but ultimately lost the bid to South Korea’s FA-50 Block 20, highlighting the growing competitiveness of the global light fighter market.
The JF-17’s combat credibility was reinforced in the recent Pakistan-India conflict, where a JF-17 Block III reportedly downed an Indian Air Force MiG-29UPG using the Chinese-manufactured PL-15 BVR missile, marking the first confirmed kill using this missile system in South Asia.
With a reported range exceeding 300 kilometres, the PL-15 enables Pakistani pilots to strike well beyond the engagement envelope of most Indian air-to-air systems, especially in contested airspace scenarios.
In another decisive strike, the Pakistan Air Force deployed JF-17s armed with hypersonic CM-400AKG missiles to eliminate an Indian S-400 Triumf battery deployed in the border region of Adampur, demonstrating the aircraft’s strike precision against hardened air defence assets.
Video evidence released by Pakistani authorities shows a JF-17 equipped with dual CM-400AKG missiles—finally confirming the operational status of a missile long speculated to be in Pakistani service but never previously revealed.
The mega-deal with Azerbaijan not only boosts Pakistan’s defence diplomacy and regional soft power but also serves as a financial catalyst for PAC in Kamra, which is expected to ramp up production and create hundreds of high-tech aerospace jobs.
PAC, responsible for manufacturing and lifecycle support of the JF-17 platform, is anticipated to upgrade its production lines and expand its maintenance and overhaul infrastructure to accommodate the scale of the Azerbaijan deal.
Last year, Azerbaijan officially announced its induction of the JF-17 Block III into its air force, with an initial contract valued at US$1.6 billion (RM7.04 billion) for 16 aircraft.
In a highly publicized ceremony at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, President Ilham Aliyev, who also commands the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, personally received the fighters and inspected their cockpit systems and avionics.
“The JF-17 Block III fighter jets have now been integrated into the Azerbaijani Air Force,” read a statement from the Azerbaijani President’s Office, accompanied by official photos of the aircraft being handed over.
Images showed President Aliyev inside the cockpit of one of the jets, closely examining its systems—a symbolic gesture highlighting the strategic importance Baku places on the new fleet.
The incoming JF-17s are set to replace Azerbaijan’s aging fleet of Russian MiG-29s, marking a shift from Russian-dominated supply chains to a more diversified, China-Pakistan defence architecture.
Geo-strategically, the entry of the JF-17 Block III into Azerbaijan’s arsenal represents a major victory for Beijing and Islamabad in a region historically considered a stronghold of Russian defence exports.
With embedded technology derived from the J-20 “Mighty Dragon,” the JF-17 Block III is widely seen as a 4.5-generation fighter that combines affordability with formidable performance.
Among its most transformative upgrades is the integration of the KLJ-7A Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, developed by China Electronics Technology Group (CETC), offering superior detection, tracking, and resistance to jamming.
Chinese analysts compare the KLJ-7A to the AN/APG-81 radar on the U.S. F-35 and Russia’s N036 radar on the Su-57 Felon, citing similar beam agility, low probability of intercept (LPI), and ECCM capabilities.
The radar can detect fighter-sized targets at ranges between 170 to 200 km, a significant improvement over the mechanically scanned radars used in earlier JF-17 variants.
It also allows the Block III to simultaneously track 15 to 20 targets and engage 4 to 6 with long-range missiles like the PL-15—ideal for saturated BVR combat environments.
Its LPI operating mode makes it difficult for adversary radars to detect its emissions, while its Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) modes enable high-resolution ground attack and reconnaissance, regardless of weather or light conditions.
This suite of enhancements makes the JF-17 Block III a truly multirole platform capable of seamlessly transitioning between air superiority, strike, and ISR missions.
The fighter will also be armed with the PL-10 short-range air-to-air missile—an agile, high-off-boresight weapon comparable to the AIM-9X—further enhancing its dogfighting capability.
Together with the PL-15, which outranges most Indian air-to-air missiles including the R-77 and Astra, the JF-17 Block III positions Pakistan and its export customers at a distinct advantage in long-range engagements.
However, reports from late 2024 suggest Azerbaijan may equip its JF-17 Block III jets with Turkish-developed Gökdoğan (BVRAAM) and Bozdoğan (WVRAAM) missiles, both of which are currently entering serial production by TÜBİTAK SAGE.
In addition, Turkish-manufactured avionics systems are expected to be integrated into Azerbaijan’s JF-17 fleet, reflecting deepening military-industrial cooperation between Baku and Ankara.
This selection underscores the maturity and competitiveness of Turkey’s indigenous missile and defence electronics industry, which continues to expand its footprint across NATO and non-NATO states alike.
