Azerbaijan pivots to JF‑17s: A break from Russian arms
As one of the purchasers of Russian weapons, Azerbaijan has decided to acquire 40 Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder aircraft. We explain the reasons for this shift and present the performance of the acquired aircraft.
In recent decades, Azerbaijan has sourced weapons from various suppliers. Among the most significant were the USSR and later Russia, but in recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in orders from Turkey, including the Bayraktar TB2 drones, as well as anti-tank weapons from Israel.
After the war in Ukraine began, Azerbaijanis stopped purchasing from Russia. For example, their new self-propelled artillery system will be the Czech DITA with a 155 mm calibre. Now, Azeris want to replace their Russian MiG-29 and Su-25 aircraft with other machines. Following a deal for a small number of Pakistani-Chinese JF-17s from September 2024, a contract was signed for an additional 40 machines for $4.6 billion. The agreement was announced on Facebook by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
JF-17 Thunder — an option for countries unwilling to fall under the influence of Russia, the USA, or Europe
The development of the JF-17 Thunder began at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, and the prototype first flew in 2003. Serial production started in 2007, and Pakistan has already produced 150 units.
These aircraft have been acquired by the air forces of Myanmar, Nigeria, and Iraq, and the recent conflict between India and Pakistan provided additional publicity for this design. It is an excellent choice for countries that no longer wish to depend on Moscow or become politically tied to the USA or Europe.
JF-17 Thunder — a lightweight effective fighter from China
The JF-17 Thunder measures over 14 metres in length, has a wingspan of about 9 metres, and its take-off weight is 13,600 kilograms. In comparison, the F-16C Block 50 in a similar configuration weighs over 19,000 kilograms. The JF-17 reaches a maximum speed of Mach 1.8, achieved through a single RD-93 engine and can carry up to 4,000 kilograms of weaponry on eight pylons.
Additionally, the aircraft is equipped with a modern active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and features a wide range of modern weaponry. This includes guided bombs weighing up to 900 kilograms, anti-ship missiles, and air-to-air missiles. In the latter category, the PL-15 missiles have proven to be formidable weapons, as the Indians have experienced firsthand.
