Azerbaijan has raised its order for JF-17 Thunderlight multi-role fighter jets from 16 to 40 units, with the deal valued at approximately $4.2 billion. As reported by Defense Arabic, these aircraft represent the latest and most advanced iteration of the JF-17 family—the "Block 3" version—a 4.5-generation fighter developed collaboratively by Pakistan and China.
If Azerbaijan raises its order of JF-17s to 40 aircraft, it will emerge as the largest export buyer of the Thunder series, marking Pakistan's most significant fighter export deal to date, surpassing previous sales to Nigeria and Myanmar. In 2023, Azerbaijan officially received 16 JF-17 Block III fighter jets, which are intended to replace its aging Russian-made MiG-29 fighters. This move reflects Baku's efforts to lessen its reliance on traditional suppliers like Russia.
