Azerbaijan's Air Force enhances capabilities with JF-17C Block III fighters PHOTO

On September 25, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev inspected the JF-17C Block III fighter jets ordered from Pakistan, developed through a collaboration between Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group of China.

Defence Turk highlighted the advanced armaments and systems these fighters will feature upon delivery to the Azerbaijani Air Force, Caliber.Az reports.

🔴🇦🇿Azerbaycan 🇵🇰JF-17 savaş uçaklarını teslim alıyor!

🔸Azerbaycan Cumhurbaşkanı İlham Aliyev, yakın zamanda envantere girecek olan JF-17 Blok III savaş uçağını inceledi. Uçakta 🇹🇷Türkiye'nin ASELPOD ve mühimmatları yer alacak.
🔗https://t.co/eemEQ1n37H pic.twitter.com/hK4Odi9GKH

— Defence Turk (@Defence_Turk) September 25, 2024

The JF-17C Block III will integrate Turkish-supplied ammunition and subsystems, along with domestically developed technologies. Notable enhancements in this model include:

KLJ-7A active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar

New wide-angle projection display and missile configuration

Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) and Radar Warning System (RWS)

An upgraded engine, likely an enhanced version of the RD-33MK

Additionally, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces will receive ASELSAN's ASELPOD multi-sensor guidance and laser marking module with the fighter jets.

This sophisticated system boasts a range of advanced features, including:

-A 3rd generation high-resolution thermal imaging camera (FLIR)

-Laser rangefinder/target marker

-Laser target tracking capabilities

-Advanced automatic video target tracking

-Simultaneous monitoring with thermal and daylight video recording

-Superior image processing algorithms

-Capability for precise target geolocation

-Expandability for future mission requirements

At a cost of just over $25 million per unit, the JF-17C Block III offers a competitive alternative, priced approximately 40 per cent lower than the F-16D used by the Pakistan Air Force, while maintaining performance levels comparable to US fighter jets. This acquisition marks a significant step in strengthening Azerbaijan's aerial defence capabilities.

By Vafa Guliyeva