Azerbaijan likely to buy JF-17 multirole fighters from Pakistan

[Introvert]

[ 23 Apr 2007 13:41 ]

Azerbaijan Defense Minister Safar Abiyev and Defense Industry Minister Yavar Jamalov are scheduled to make an official visit to Pakistan, APA reports.

The meetings during the visit are to cover cooperation between Azerbaijani and Pakistan in defense industry.
Azerbaijani Embassy in Pakistan and Foreign Ministries of the two countries are preparing for the visit.
Safar Abiyev and Yavar Jamalov are said to hold several official meetings in the Pakistani Defense Ministry. Defense Industry Minister Jamalov will talk with the Secretary of Pakistan Defense Ministry Shaig Siddig Termidi on cooperation prospects. During attending the IDEAS international military exhibition in Pakistan, Azerbaijan showed interest to JF-17 multirole fighters as well as tanks and small arms made in Pakistan.
http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=25168

 

[Owais]

Thats a really nice news but I am waiting for a more reliable source

 

[PakSniper]

Its' pretty reliable Owais even this site below:

http://www.today.az/news/business/39829.html

Is Azerbaijan and reporting it and the site in the first post is also Azerbaijan and have correspondents in Pakistan, also know that with Turkey's help they are modernizing their military, I wouldn't be surprised if they bought small arms from us and tanks, etc. Alot of people were interested in our weapons during IDEA's and their officers and diplomats were their as well. They are in Pakistan and they going to be signing some deals as well.

Even from DefenseTalk.com if you go on their homepage is reporting it.

 

[Neo]

That would be something. JF-17 flying in Russia's own backyard competeing against Mig-29.

 

[Keysersoze]

Neo I think they will probably get some platforms from Russia as well. (appeasement of their neighbours.) Then use a cheaper platform such as the JF-17 to "bulk out" their airforce.

They probably want to diversify as well........

 

[PakSniper]

Well your right Key's they can use JF-17 as force multipliers in numbers (espically in BVR arena). But I doubt they might buy more from the Russians' I believe Azerb is planning on to be in NATO in the future and might move towards western thinking of systems, maintenance, etc. Considering the PAF has a history and will get western input in their jets' Azerb might follow the same route while getting help from Turkey, in modernizing their their Army + Air Force, they currently spend about $ 1 Billion annually and they get their weapons (Majority) from Western nations, Israel, US, Turkey, also from Eastern Ukraine and Russia. Slowly Pakistan might replace Ukraine and Russia in small arms and armour, since we also have been in contract with GIAT to produce a new armour for our vehicles and tanks. We did sell some to Iraq and I haven't heard anything bad about them either. Also, it's a possibility they might get some Al-Zarrar kits like Bangladesh did from us for Azerb T-55s since they have about 250 of them and replacing them with such a short budget wouldn't be in their interest, they might as well upgrade their T-70s, and purchase AKs which can take on T-90s export versions from Russia (since neighboring countries have majority Russia equipment). Along, with this they also should sell their BMPs 1-2-3 and get them from Turkey/Pakistan or other Western nations, as well as other troop carriers.

But since I'm a gun fanatic I would like for them to replace their AK-47s' 7.56mm to a more reliable weapon either QBZ95 which uses a 5.8mm round or AK-108 which uses a 5.56mm. By getting western optical telescopes in the 1.5-3X magnification.

 

[Keysersoze]

Upgrade and addition

In 2006, the Air Defense Forces received a major upgrade and addition, and plans to further expansion in 2007-2008. The addition consisting of:

* MiG-29 Foxbat fighters - 29
* JF-17 Multirole fighter - 24 [1]
* Tu-16 Badger heavy bombers - 10
* Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters - 25

Got this from Wiki (for what it is worth)

 

[Interceptor]

Why do they need JF-17 they can buy tech far better than that of the JF-17?
Unless they are trying to get closer to Pakistan.

If this deal happens than it would probably be Pakistans biggest leap in defence related export.

 

[Interceptor]

This is probably armour related shopping like the new APC's that were displayed and the upcoming ones told the Saad, Al Talha, Al Hadeed etc.

 

[Keysersoze]

Why do they need JF-17 they can buy tech far better than that of the JF-17?
Unless they are trying to get closer to Pakistan.

If this deal happens than it would probably be Pakistans biggest leap in defence related export.

The medium tech Jf-17 will allow them to replace all of the obsolete and obsolecent aircraft in their inventory with out breaking their budget. Higher tech aircraft will equal bigger price tickets. Plus the JF-17 has the capability of being adjusted in cost AND capability if a higher tech requirement is there.

 

[Interceptor]

The medium tech Jf-17 will allow them to replace all of the obsolete and obsolecent aircraft in their inventory with out breaking their budget. Higher tech aircraft will equal bigger price tickets. Plus the JF-17 has the capability of being adjusted in cost AND capability if a higher tech requirement is there.

Is this showing potential of the JF-17? The post that you posted of the current inventory shows they have a modern fleet of aircrafts.

 

[Keysersoze]

Is this showing potential of the JF-17? The post that you posted of the current inventory shows they have a modern fleet of aircrafts.

What i posted was their "planned" upgrade policy. (according to wiki anyway) If you look it up you will see there quite a few aircraft they need to have replaced.


Significant numbers of former Soviet aircraft have been withdrawn in recent years. Types withdrawn from service since 2002 include:

* An-12 - 1
* An-24 - 1
* MiG-25 interceptor - 33
* MiG-25PD interceptor - 11
* MiG-25-RECCE - 5
* MiG-25RB aircraft - 14
* MiG-25U - 8
* Il-76 - 3
* Tu-16 Badger heavy bombers - 10
* Tu-134A - 1

There also various migs and su aircraft that are ending their lifespan.

Mikoyan MiG-21 Flag of Soviet Union Soviet Union Interceptor --3 Reduced from 18 in service in 2002

Sukhoi Su-17 Flag of Soviet Union Soviet Union Attack --2
4 operational in 2002.

Sukhoi Su-24 Flag of Soviet Union Soviet Union Strike --4
21 operational in 2002.

Sukhoi Su-25 Flag of Soviet Union Soviet Union Attack --2
12 operational in 2002.

 

[Quwa]

I wonder if Azerbaijan had the chance to evaluate the JF-17 before its induction in PAF? If not then expect it to take at least a year before a deal is finalized. Do remember that the JF-17 is a new platform and I am sure the Azerbaijan evaluators will give it special attention because of its unestablished record. Then the fact of delivery schedules and who's production line (Kamra or Chengdu) will cover Azerbaijan's order and other technical issues will need negotiation.

I am interested in whether Azerbaijan will procure the current configuration of Al Khalid MBT; an up-scaled one with a 1500hp engine, SAGEM Mathis thermal imaging; or perhaps Al Khalid II??

 

[Keysersoze]

I wonder if Azerbaijan had the chance to evaluate the JF-17 before its induction in PAF? If not then expect it to take at least a year before a deal is finalized. Do remember that the JF-17 is a new platform and I am sure the Azerbaijan evaluators will give it special attention because of its unestablished record. Then the fact of delivery schedules and who's production line (Kamra or Chengdu) will cover Azerbaijan's order and other technical issues will need negotiation.

I am interested in whether Azerbaijan will procure the current configuration of Al Khalid MBT; an up-scaled one with a 1500hp engine, SAGEM Mathis thermal imaging; or perhaps Al Khalid II??

I would suggest that they would probably go for the standard configuration at the moment. They are currently using T-72's and T-55's (approx 140 of each) the current model of the Al Khalid would be a improvement. The current Azerbaijan budget is $1 billion So they can't go "over the top" with procurement.

 

[EagleEyes]

They should at least buy 3 Squadrons consisted of 32-40 planes including some for spares. They should be able to afford it over 3-4 years of period.