Pakistan Sends Troops and JF-17 Jets to Azerbaijan Victory Day Parade

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Islamabad/Baku: Pakistan and Azerbaijan, long-standing allies, have recently strengthened their defense and military ties, taking them to a new level. In a show of solidarity, Pakistani troops and JF-17 Thunder fighter jets have arrived in Azerbaijan to participate in the country’s Victory Day parade. The visit is accompanied by top Pakistani officials, including Army Chief General Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan’s Information Minister, Ataullah Tarar, confirmed the development on Saturday.

Azerbaijan observes Victory Day on November 8 each year to commemorate its victory over Armenia in the 44-day Karabakh war of 2020. This year marks the 5th anniversary of the victory. Tarar emphasized that the Pakistan-Azerbaijan friendship remains unbreakable, highlighting the significance of Pakistani military presence in the celebrations.

High-Level Engagements
In Baku, Shehbaz Sharif met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, with photographs shared by the Pakistan Embassy on social media platform X. Army Chief General Asim Munir also held a strategic meeting with President Aliyev, resulting in several agreements to strengthen bilateral defense and military cooperation.

JF-17 Thunder Jets Showcase Strength
The Pakistani Air Force contingent includes the JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets, which had earlier participated in bilateral aerial exercises with Azerbaijan last month. The presence of these jets in the parade underscores growing coordination between the two air forces.

The JF-17 Thunder is Pakistan’s premier multi-role fighter aircraft. Developed jointly by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), it is a fourth-generation, single-engine jet capable of executing a wide range of combat roles. With external fuel tanks, the JF-17 has a maximum range of 3,482 km (2,163 miles) and a take-off weight of 13,500 kg. It can carry air-to-air, air-to-surface, and anti-ship missiles, as well as guided and unguided bombs. The aircraft is armed with a 23mm GSH-23-2 twin-barrel gun and has a service ceiling of 50,000 feet.

Pakistan’s participation in Azerbaijan’s Victory Day parade marks a significant milestone in bilateral defense cooperation, showcasing both countries’ commitment to deepening military and strategic ties.