Azerbaijan's recent purchase of JF-17C Block-III fighter jets from Pakistan has been hailed as a "tactical and geopolitical masterstroke" by Pakistani defence analyst Hamza Azhar Salam.
In an interview with the Institute for Development and Diplomacy (IDD), Salam, founder and editor of The Pakistan Daily, emphasized the significant advantage these advanced aircraft provide Azerbaijan over Armenia's aging Su-30SM fleet.
The JF-17C, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, boasts cutting-edge technology including the KLJ-7A Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and PL-15E beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles.
According to Salam, the AESA radar allows for superior target tracking and engagement of multiple aircraft simultaneously, while the PL-15E missiles, with a reported range exceeding 145 kilometers, offer a decisive advantage in long-range aerial combat.
"The JF-17C's superior avionics, missile capabilities, and maneuverability make it a decisive advantage in both air-to-air engagements and precision ground strikes, securing Azerbaijan’s control of the region's airspace," stated Salam in a separate article published in The Pakistan Daily.
He further highlighted the jet's digital fly-by-wire system and helmet-mounted display, which enhance pilot agility and reaction time.
This acquisition comes on the heels of Azerbaijan's successful utilization of drones in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, further solidifying their air power capabilities.
Salam believes the JF-17C elevates Azerbaijan's air force to a "higher echelon of combat readiness," effectively outmatching Armenia's reliance on older Soviet-era fighters.
Beyond its military implications, the JF-17C deal strengthens Azerbaijan's strategic partnerships with Pakistan and Turkey, signaling a diversification of defence alliances and a move towards greater military self-sufficiency.
For Pakistan, this sale marks a significant milestone in its ambitions as a global defence exporter, showcasing the JF-17C as a cost-effective alternative to Western and Russian aircraft.
However, it is important to note that the ultimate effectiveness of the JF-17C in any future conflict will depend on various factors beyond technological superiority, including pilot training, maintenance, and the overall strategic context.
