Pakistan’s military announced on Thursday that it has signed a contract to sell JF-17 Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan. The JF-17 aircraft is co-produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and developed jointly with China, with whom Pakistan has strengthened ties as relations with its traditional military ally, the United States, have weakened in recent years.
While the military did not disclose the cost or quantity of jets agreed upon, it stated that the deal is part of Pakistan’s efforts to enhance defence cooperation with friendly countries and bolster Azerbaijan’s air power capabilities. The sale underscores Pakistan’s growing role as a defence supplier in the region.
Strengthening Ties With Azerbaijan And Regional Dynamics
Pakistan’s relationship with Azerbaijan has been on the rise. In July, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev visited Pakistan on a state visit where both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in various fields, including defence. Following the visit, Pakistan deployed an air force contingent to Baku to participate in the Azerbaijan defence exhibition and showcase the JF-17 aircraft.
The JF-17 Block III, the latest version of the fighter jet, is capable of performing a wide range of combat missions, providing Azerbaijan with enhanced airpower options. Azerbaijan has been modernising its military capabilities, particularly since its standoff with Armenia last year, when clashes between the two South Caucasus rivals reignited decades-old hostilities.
Armenia Turns To India For Military Support
As Pakistan strengthens its military ties with Azerbaijan, Armenia has increasingly turned to India for defence support. Armenia signed a $2 billion defence partnership with India in 2020, making significant purchases of Indian-made weapon systems, including the Akash-1S air defence system. In August, it was reported that Armenia will receive India’s indigenously developed Akash-1S air defence missile system later in 2024.
India’s growing defence relationship with Armenia provides it with a strategic foothold in the South Caucasus, countering the influence of Pakistan and Turkey in the region while enhancing its connectivity to European and Eurasian markets.
The Strategic Significance Of The Caucasus
The South Caucasus region has long been a site of geopolitical rivalry. Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars, one in the 1990s and another in 2020, over control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, which had a majority ethnic Armenian population. The conflict has continued to shape alliances in the region, with Turkey supporting Azerbaijan and Armenia seeking closer ties with India.
The recent arms deal between Pakistan and Azerbaijan further highlights the growing defence alignments in the region, where military partnerships are increasingly influenced by broader geopolitical interests.
(With inputs from Reuters)
