Pakistan Signs $4.6 Billion JF-17 Fighter Jet Deal with Azerbaijan

https://www.overtdefense.com/2025/06/18/pakistan-signs-4-6-billion-...

Pakistan has signed a $4.6 billion defense agreement with Azerbaijan to supply 40 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, along with a $2 billion accompanying investment package. The government called this a record-breaking deal, which is by far the largest defense export in Pakistan’s history. Azerbaijan had originally ordered 16 JF-17s from Pakistan, but the new contract expands that purchase to 40 aircraft. The extra $2 billion investment portion of the deal is intended to cover joint industrial and infrastructure projects between the two countries.

The JF-17 Thunder itself is a lightweight, fourth-generation multirole combat aircraft co-developed by Pakistan and China. It was created as a modern, cost-effective fighter to replace older jets in Pakistan’s fleet (like the Mirage III and Chinese F-7). Powered by a single Russian-designed Klimov RD-93 turbofan engine, the JF-17 can reach speeds of about Mach 1.6 (roughly 1,900 km/h). It has excellent climb performance and can operate above 55,000 ft altitude. In combat loadout, it carries one twin-barrel 23 mm GSh-23 cannon and can mount roughly 3,400 kg of ordnance on eight external hardpoints, making it versatile for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Azerbaijan will get the latest Block III variant of the Thunder that has a modern Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and a fully digital avionics suite. It is compatible with advanced Chinese missiles. For air combat, it can employ long-range PL-15 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles and short-range infrared PL-10 missiles. The upgraded jet also includes a glass cockpit with a helmet-mounted targeting display to improve pilot situational awareness. Its weapons can include radar-guided BVR missiles, heat-seeking missiles, laser-guided bombs, anti-radiation missiles (to suppress enemy air defenses), and even anti-ship and cruise missiles for maritime or strategic strikes. Pakistan will further equip the new jets with ASELPOD electro-optical targeting pods (an advanced precision targeting system) before delivery.

The JF-17 deal is part of Azerbaijan’s broader effort to modernize its air force after recent conflicts. Deliveries of the 40 jets are expected to take place in phases over the coming years, including training programs for Azerbaijani pilots and technicians. Overall, the $4.6 billion fighter-jet sale (plus a $2 billion investment package) significantly deepens the Pakistan–Azerbaijan military relationship. The JF-17 Thunder’s delivery will modernize the Azerbaijani air force while marking a new era of defense cooperation for both countries.

Operation Sindoor a reality check on where we can do better: Defence Secretary | Pune News - The Indian Express

https://x.com/clary_co/status/1966826657798570274?s=46

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/operation-sindoor-rea...

Better manufacturing ecosystem of military grade drones which can survive better in GPS-denied and other contested environments, said Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said on Friday that Operation Sindoor was in some ways a reality check to identify where we can do better and where we need to adapt. He also said certain capability gaps were noticed during Operation Sindoor and that indigenous alternatives were being developed for the same.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the STRIDE event, the Defence secretary said, “In the context of the geopolitical situation that most countries are paying a lot of attention to defence and hard power again and given our neighbourhood, India is no exception. We just had this experience with Operation Sindoor which was in some ways a reality check for us, in terms of where we can do better, where we need to adapt to changing needs for future warfare. And the intent (of the seminar) was to engage with all sections of industry, academia as well as research institutions to see how we can take this synergy forward.”

Answering a question about the evolving threat of drones and unmanned systems and whether specific capability areas have been identified for it, the Defence Secretary said, “In the context of Operation Sindoor, certain capability gaps were noticed. Those include areas like electronic warfare and counter-unmanned systems… Better manufacturing ecosystem of military grade drones which can survive better in GPS-denied and other contested environments, various types of low level radars as well. We had some areas where we thought that we needed to beef up our capabilities. There is always a trade-off between what you can buy off the shelf and what you develop over time. in terms of what the forces need immediately, we have tried to provide them the flexibility through the emergency procurement process, where they have basically been empowered to buy off-the-shelf equipment within the country preferably and if not, if it is not available, from outside. But in all of these areas, we will also work through DRDO to develop indigenous alternatives. There is a trade-off in the short term, but in the long run, the intent is to go fully indigenous in all of these capabilities.”



Answering a question on the development of indigenous aero engines, the Defence Secretary said, “For fighter jet engines, as the Defence Minister had announced some time back, we are in the final stages of developing a collaboration with an international engine house along with DRDO. That is a long-term process. It will take perhaps as much as a decade to develop. The intent is to identify an engine house which has done this in the past and which is able to transfer 100% IPR to India. With that in mind, we have shortlisted someone and we will be moving to the highest levels of government for taking those decisions subsequently.”



On a question of how India is taking bilateral projects forward with the US amidst trade tensions, Singh said, “On defence, there is no spillover effect from the trade tensions as you put it. Those are also easing now. We have resumed our negotiations with them and hopefully they will be successful. Our defence collaboration and talks have continued even during periods of what you described as tensions. We have delegation level talks, 2 plus 2 talks, that have been undertaken. The engines from General Electric for the light combat aircraft are also being delivered. So, I would say defence collaboration, not much impact. In fact, during this period also, they delivered two Apaches to the Indian Army.”

Zohaib Ahmed 🇵🇰🇵🇸
@Zohaib_Author
Pakistan’s presence at WDS 2026 goes beyond display and into capability signaling.

With the SMASH hypersonic anti-ship missile, the AI-enabled YALGHAR loitering munition, long-range strike systems, fighters, UAVs, electronic warfare, and digital battlefield tools, the exhibition outlines a maturing, export-oriented defense industry and deeper Pakistan–Saudi industrial alignment.

Read the full article to see how these systems fit into the emerging regional security architecture.

https://zohaibauthor.com/2026/02/08/pakistans-defense-sector-at-the...

https://x.com/Zohaib_Author/status/2020830787726139634?s=20