Azerbaijan’s air pressure could also be taking steps to fill a long-standing want for fight plane. On February 22 Azernieuws reported that Azerbaijan’s air pressure has signed a $1.6 billion cope with the Pakistan Aeronautical Advanced (PAC) for the acquisition of JF-17 Block III fighter jets, together with unspecified ‘munitions’. The entire variety of plane was not reported, nor have been different particulars equivalent to supply schedule offered.
Neither authorities has publicly introduced the deal, and the current studies solely level to nameless sources in Islamabad making the data public, including to an extended record of comparable, sparsely sourced or imprecise studies through the years concerning the JF -17 negotiations. There have been rumors that Azerbaijan would obtain the planes in 2019, however these deliveries by no means materialized. So whereas Azerbaijan has equipped its army with new unmanned aerial methods, missiles and artillery lately, the necessity for brand new fight plane remained open even because it bought Tremendous Mushshak primary trainers from PAC.
Azerbaijan actually has the funds to buy new fighter jets, both from Pakistan or one other provider. The nation’s mixed protection and safety finances will attain AZN6.4 billion ($3.8 billion) in 2024, supported by oil and fuel exports. Furthermore, the air pressure’s present fleet – starting from MiG-21s, MiG-29s, Su-24s and Su-25s – is sort of outdated, with a mean age of over thirty years.
One issue that has prolonged negotiations is the anticipate the JF-17 program to mature with the Block III model. Pakistan started manufacturing of the Block I model of the plane within the late 2000s, and Block II JF-17s started becoming a member of the air pressure in 2015. Deliveries of the Block III version – with new AESA radar, new navigation tools and higher armament – have been on their strategy to the Pakistan Air Drive in March 2023.
Whereas Baku may look elsewhere for acquisitions within the meantime, its choices in worldwide markets are restricted and have narrowed lately. Azerbaijan’s major protection companions are Israel and Turkey, neither of which presently has a fighter jet in the marketplace. In July 2023, Azerbaijan joined Turkey’s Kaan fighter jet mission, a robust sign that Baku will ultimately purchase the plane. Nonetheless, Kaan remains to be in its early phases, having made its maiden flight on February 21, so its buy for the Azerbaijani Air Drive just isn’t reasonable till the 2030s, when full manufacturing is underway.
Russia, particularly in early 2010, bought a major quantity of army tools to Azerbaijan, together with surface-to-air missiles, battle tanks, a number of rocket launchers and assault helicopters. A number of Russian media studies within the late 2010s indicated that Rosoboronexport (ROE), Russia’s state arms exporter, marketed the Su-30SM to Azerbaijan, 4 of which have been additionally bought to rival Armenia, in addition to different plane from that household, such because the Su- 35 and Su-34. Azerbaijan has additionally been recommended as a buyer for the MiG-35, a growth of the MiG-29.
The specter of CAATSA sanctions could have deterred Baku from buying extra Russian tools, as signed orders with ROE expired in early 2018 after CAATSA went into impact. And by 2022, Russia had dedicated its army to the battle in Ukraine, which targeted its manufacturing traces totally on supplying frontline troops and changing battlefield losses, together with vital numbers of fighter plane.
Elsewhere, bitter relations between Azerbaijan and France will hinder negotiations over the Rafale, and Azerbaijan is unlikely to realize approval for US-made fighter jets such because the F-16. Azerbaijan not too long ago deepened ties with Italy’s Leonardo and signed a contract for C-27J transport plane final summer time. However a deal for the corporate’s M-346 superior jet coach, which may very well be utilized in fight roles, seems to nonetheless be caught in negotiations.
So the method of elimination labored within the JF-17’s favor. If Azerbaijan passes an order, what number of planes may it purchase? Whereas that determine has by no means been confirmed, the reported $1.6 billion price ticket gives some steering.
The JF-17 is believed to price round $25 million per plane, though that determine probably would not take note of all of the components concerned in a deal, together with coaching, spare elements, missiles and different add-ons that might push the whole price properly over $25 can rise above. the sticker value. Compared to one other alleged sale within the works, Iraq is alleged to be contemplating a purchase order of twelve JF-17 Block IIIs at a price of $664 million. That efficient quantities to roughly $55 million per unit.
Math would indicate an Azerbaijani order, if and when it comes, for at the very least three dozen jets, which might be a serious milestone for Azerbaijan, sufficient to fully change the nation’s air fleet. Furthermore, for PAC, signing an export order of that measurement can be a considerable achievement as it could be the biggest export deal within the firm’s historical past. A sale to Azerbaijan would enhance the JF-17 program, whose export gross sales have been lagging, and Pakistan’s crisis-ridden financial system typically.