Forecast Predicts Warm Relationship Between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan's Possible Acquisition of JF-17 Fighter Jets and Its Potential Impact on Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Reports suggest that Azerbaijan may have agreed to purchase 40 JF-17 Block III fighter jets from a Chinese-Pakistani consortium, with a potential deal value of approximately $4.2 billion. However, the Azerbaijani government has yet to confirm this acquisition.
Political analyst Ahmad Shahidov in Baku described the purported deal as a symbol of "brotherhood, trust, and a shared vision for the future," aiming to strengthen the country's skies. During a summit in May 2024, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and leaders from Turkey and Pakistan discussed their growing strategic cooperation, but Aliyev did not mention any arms deal in his speech.
The JF-17 Block III jets Azerbaijan is reportedly considering are advanced multirole fighters equipped with improved avionics and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, making them superior to many aircraft currently present in the region. If confirmed, this acquisition could enhance Azerbaijan's airpower and potentially impact regional security dynamics, including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The superior air support that Azerbaijan enjoyed during the Second Karabakh War was crucial in the Azerbaijani military's reconquest of Nagorno-Karabakh. Should the purchase of JF-17 jets be confirmed, Azerbaijan could gain a strategic advantage over Armenia for at least the medium term.
In response, Armenia signed a "declaration of intentions" with France in May 2024, which could pave the way for closer economic and potential defense cooperation. However, the specifics of this agreement remain undisclosed.
The potential outcome of these escalating military preparations on the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which have been ongoing for over three decades, remains unclear. The exact status of the peace treaty, ostensibly ready for signing by both sides, is clouded by preconditions established by Azerbaijan, putting the pact on hold.
When discussing the potential acquisition of JF-17 fighter jets by Azerbaijan, it could be a significant factor in the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, given the improved air support these advanced multirole aircraft can provide. Concurrently, Armenia's responses such as the declaration of intentions with France for possible closer economic and defense cooperation, may suggest a broader involvement of global powers in the regional politics and war-and-conflicts dynamics.
