Azerbaijan says it has integrated JF-17C (Block-III) multirole fighter jets into its Air Force, marking a significant upgrade to its combat capabilities. President Ilham Aliyev inspected the new aircraft on Sept. 25 at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, coinciding with the 5th Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition (ADEX-2024) in Baku.
The JF-17C, a joint development by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation, is designed for all-weather, day-night operations. Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Board Chairman Air Vice Marshal Hakim Raza briefed President Aliyev on the aircraft’s specifications and performance.
At ADEX-2024, Pakistan showcased three JF-17s, including a static display of the JF-17C variant. The exhibit highlighted the fighter’s diverse weapon integration, featuring air-to-air missiles such as the PL-10E and SD-10A, as well as air-to-ground weaponry including AB-2000 and AB-500 laser-guided bombs and the C802AK missile. The aircraft’s avionics package includes the ASSELPOD targeting pod.
The display also featured BREK and IREK Range Extension Kits (REK) from Global Industrial & Defence Solutions. These kits transform General Purpose Steel Bombs into guided weapons by integrating a Tail Unit with the bomb body, providing guidance and navigation to the target. An additional Wing Unit with deployable wings extends the weapon’s range, enhancing the JF-17C’s strike capabilities.
This acquisition underscores Azerbaijan’s efforts to modernize its air force with advanced, multirole combat aircraft capable of engaging both air and ground targets effectively.
ADEX-2024, hosted at the Baku Expo Center, marks its 5th anniversary this year. Since its 2014 inception, the exhibition has attracted nearly 200 official delegations from over 50 countries, serving as a pivotal platform for international defense industry cooperation in the region.
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