Another Country Inducts Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets

Azerbaijan has officially inducted Pakistan Aeronautical Complex/Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (PAC/CAC) JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft into its air force inventory, the office of the President of Azerbaijan confirmed.

During the Victory Day parade on November 8, four single-seat and one twin-seat JF-17 aircraft flew over the capital city of Baku.

The backseat occupant of the lead twin-seat aircraft was identified as Colonel Novruz Tahirov of the Azerbaijan Air Force and Air Defence Force, based on his uniform patches. Notably, the aircraft carried no visible national markings.

Earlier this year, Pakistan agreed to sell 40 fourth-generation JF-17 Thunder jets to Azerbaijan, expanding its initial order from 16 aircraft. The deal, valued at $4.6 billion, marks Pakistan’s largest-ever defense export contract and represents a significant milestone for the co-developed fighter jet.

The acquisition is expected to strengthen Azerbaijan’s military capabilities and alter the balance of power in the South Caucasus, a move likely to concern neighboring Armenia.

The JF-17 program, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, continues to gain recognition on the global defense market as a cost-effective, modern combat aircraft.