Azerbaijan has signed a contract to purchase Pak-Chinese fighter jets, JF-17 Thunder Block III also known as FC-1 Xiaolong.”Azerbaijan’s offensive capability augmentation comes as Armenia is bulwarking its defences via Indian and French equipment like Akash surface-to-air missiles.Azerbaijan will purchase the fighter jets for US $1.6 billion. The deal encompasses pilots’ training and acquisition of armament. The rumours have been going on for some time, the export of JF-17 to Baku will take place after the completion of 62 fighter jets to the Pakistan Air Force by 2024.Pakistani expert Dr Mehmood ul Hassan Khan said that the deal is confirmed by Pakistani sources. The sale of JF-17 ‘Thunder’ to Azerbaijan is the largest defence export deal in Pakistan’s history. The deal will supply eight fighter jets in the first tranche with a clause for a follow-on order of another 8 JF-17s. Azerbaijan has become the third country after Myanmar and Nigeria to opt for the fighter jet.The JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft is jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corp. It has a Chinese airframe and Western avionics, and a Russian engine powers it.