Category: Azer News

Over the past few months, the skies above Azerbaijan have bore witness to a quiet, yet profound, technological shift. Following an initial debut in late June, the Azerbaijani Air Force once again mobilized its newly acquired JF-17C (Block-III) “Thunder” multirole fighter jets for a series of high-profile training flights. Operating alongside legacy platforms like the Su-25ML close-support aircraft and L-39 jet trainers, these sleek, single-engine fighters executed complex piloting and combat maneuvers at various altitudes, signaling that their integration into the country’s active fleet is proceeding at an accelerated pace.

Rather than a theatrical display of saber-rattling, these back-to-back exercises deliver a calculated, measured message to the wider region. Beyond the geopolitics, they demonstrate how Azerbaijan’s military hierarchy is systematically addressing a long-standing vulnerability: its dependence on aging Soviet-era aviation technology.

The acquisition of the JF-17C, co-developed by Pakistan and China, represents a monumental leap forward for Azerbaijan’s defensive architecture. For decades, the backbone of the nation’s air power rested on Soviet-designed platforms, specifically the MiG-29. While capable in their prime, these aircraft belong to an era of mechanical radars and analog warfare.

The “C” variant (Block-III) shifts Azerbaijan firmly into the realm of 4.5-generation warfare. The most critical upgrade lies in its nose cone: the KLJ-7A Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. Unlike older, mechanically steered radars that search the skies like a physical flashlight, the AESA radar utilizes thousands of solid-state transmit/receive modules. This allows the JF-17C to track multiple targets simultaneously, resist hostile electronic jamming, and spot incoming threats at much greater distances.

Furthermore, the integration of advanced weaponry like the PL-15E beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile completely alters the strategic calculus. With an operational range exceeding 140 kilometers, these missiles grant Azerbaijani pilots the ability to engage aerial threats long before they can pose a direct danger to domestic airspace. Accompanied by modern Helmet-Mounted Displays (HMD) that allow pilots to lock onto targets simply by looking at them, the JF-17C provides a sophisticated qualitative edge that the country’s aviation inventory previously lacked.

When a nation repeatedly highlights its newest, most advanced military hardware in official state media-as Azerbaijan did in both June and July-it is rarely a coincidence. However, the message being sent here is one of calculated deterrence rather than aggressive posturing.

First, the exercises serve as a declaration of rapid operational capability. Buying a fighter jet is only the first step in a complex logistical process; training pilots, establishing maintenance pipelines, and integrating new tactics can take years. By showcasing the JF-17C executing combat maneuvers in formation, Baku is signaling that its pilots have already bypassed the transition phase. The “Thunder” is no longer just a static parade piece-it is a fully functional, combat-ready asset.

Second, the drills highlight tactical interoperability. By pairing the JF-17C with the Su-25ML, the Air Force is demonstrating how it intends to fight. In a modern conflict, the Su-25ML-modernized to carry smart munitions-performs close air support on the ground. However, these ground-attack jets are vulnerable to enemy interceptors. The JF-17C, with its superior radar and BVR capabilities, can fly high-altitude cover, establishing air superiority while the Su-25s operate safely below.

Ultimately, Azerbaijan is signaling a decisive pivot away from Russian defense procurement. At a time when maintenance, parts acquisition, and upgrades for Russian-made hardware have become geopolitically complex, the partnership with Pakistan offers a reliable, modern, and unencumbered alternative. The message to neighbors and regional powers is clear: Azerbaijan is building a modern, self-sustaining defense model that is no longer tethered to the post-Soviet military-industrial complex.

The skies above Baku are changing, and with the JF-17C leading the formation, Azerbaijan’s defense strategy is flying directly into the digital age.

The JF-17C’s arrival is about far more than replacing aging aircraft; it reflects a broader transformation in Azerbaijan’s defense philosophy. By investing in modern sensors, long-range precision weapons, and diversified defense partnerships, Baku is reshaping its air force to meet the demands of contemporary warfare rather than the realities of the past. Whether this modernization ultimately shifts the regional military balance remains to be seen, but one conclusion is already evident: Azerbaijan’s air power is entering a new era defined by advanced technology, greater operational flexibility, and a steadily expanding capacity for independent deterrence.

Trkiye’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources is actively advancing preparations to supply electricity from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria as part of a large-scale green energy corridor project, AzerNEWS reports.

According to Trkiye newspaper, preparations for the initiative – dubbed “Electricity TANAP” – are underway on multiple fronts in Ankara. The work includes expanding electricity grid capacity, developing energy exchanges, addressing cross-border electricity trade, and establishing the necessary market regulations.

The publication reported that the state-owned electricity transmission corporation TEIAS has joined efforts to establish the physical route linking the Caspian region with Southeastern Europe, enabling the direct transmission of renewable electricity.

TEIAS is coordinating technical cooperation with electricity transmission system operators in the participating countries. One of the project’s key objectives is the construction of high-voltage electricity interconnectors, which will facilitate cross-border power flows between national grids.

The initiative also involves EPIAS, Trkiye’s energy exchange operator, and the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK).

According to the report, EPIAS is working to establish the commercial framework for the large-scale project alongside efforts to modernize electricity trading networks. The newspaper noted that Trkiye currently operates Europe’s third-largest electricity exchange by trading volume.

Belgium will develop its own military satellite system as part of efforts to strengthen its independent space capabilities, AzerNEWS reports.

For the first time, the country’s Ministry of Defense will allocate more than pound 200 million to develop an independent space infrastructure. Currently, the Belgian military relies on satellite imagery provided by France.

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken told The Brussels Times that the government plans to deploy several dozen satellites, including 10 for military purposes. The satellite constellation is expected to be placed into orbit by 2030.

The initiative follows the launch of a major satellite manufacturing project by Belgian company Aerospacelab, which began construction of a production facility in 2024. The plant is designed to manufacture up to 500 satellites annually and is scheduled to begin operations in 2026.

Pursuant to the relevant order of the First Deputy Minister of Defense – Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, a graduation ceremony for the Basic Diver Course was held in the Azerbaijan Navy, AzerNEWS reports.

The memory of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and the Martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland was honored with a minute of silence. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was then performed.

Speakers at the graduation ceremony emphasized that conducting such courses makes a significant contribution to enhancing the professional qualifications and combat readiness of personnel.

It was noted that throughout the course, participants acquired not only theoretical knowledge but also practical diving skills, including underwater technical operations, search procedures, the recovery of submerged objects, underwater hull inspections, and other diving tasks.

At the end of the ceremony, participants were awarded certificates, followed by a commemorative group photo.

More than 600,000 people in the United Kingdom are unable to work because of overweight and obesity-related health problems, AzerNEWS reports, citing The Telegraph.

The findings are based on a study conducted by researchers at the University of York, who analyzed data from more than 284,000 volunteers. The research drew on information from the UK Biobank, the country’s largest medical database.

According to the information, more than 15 million people in the UK are overweight, and around 4% of them are unable to continue working specifically because of obesity.

The study also found that men are more likely than women to leave the workforce due to excess weight.

Researchers warned that rising obesity rates could place an even greater financial burden on the UK economy. The report noted that employees diagnosed with obesity take twice as much sick leave as those with a healthy weight, highlighting the growing impact of obesity on productivity and the labor market.

The Government has announced pilot schemes in which the unemployed will be given weight-loss jabs to get more people back to work.

Researchers have previously found that obese workers are twice as likely to take time off sick as those of a healthy weight because of health problems arising from their size.

Germany’s influential political magazine Cicero has published an article titled “Gateway to Central Asia: Why Europe Is Rediscovering the South Caucasus,” highlighting the region’s growing strategic importance amid shifting geopolitical realities, AzerNEWS reports.

Written by Oliver Rolofs, the article examines how the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and rising tensions in the Middle East have fundamentally reshaped Europe’s approach to security, energy, and transport policy.

According to the author, Europe, which relied heavily on the United States for security, Russia for energy supplies, and China as a key economic market in the post-Cold War era, is increasingly seeking to establish itself as an independent geopolitical actor. Against this backdrop, the South Caucasus has evolved from what was once considered a geopolitical periphery into one of Europe’s key strategic regions.

The article argues that the war in Ukraine demonstrated that pipelines, ports, submarine communication cables, and transport corridors are not merely economic infrastructure but also powerful geopolitical instruments. At the same time, escalating tensions involving Iran and growing risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have further underscored the importance of energy and logistics security, enhancing the strategic relevance of the South Caucasus for Europe.

Rolofs notes that for many years the region was viewed primarily through the lens of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, overshadowing its broader geopolitical potential. However, the peace initiative launched between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington on August 8, 2025, has significantly changed perceptions in Brussels and other European capitals. Although issues such as border delimitation, mine clearance, and confidence-building measures remain unresolved, Europe increasingly views the South Caucasus as a bridge connecting the continent with Central Asia.

The article places particular emphasis on Azerbaijan’s expanding role in Europe’s energy security. It recalls that, following the signing of the EU-Azerbaijan Memorandum of Understanding in 2022, Azerbaijan has steadily increased natural gas exports to Europe. The country currently supplies around 13 billion cubic meters of gas annually to the European Union, compared with 8 billion cubic meters before 2022, with exports expected to reach at least 20 billion cubic meters by 2027. It also notes that Germany and Austria began receiving direct Azerbaijani gas supplies for the first time in 2026.

According to the publication, Azerbaijan now exports natural gas to 16 countries, including 10 EU member states, making it one of the cornerstones of Europe’s strategy to diversify energy supplies.

The author also highlights the importance of the Southern Gas Corridor, including the TANAP and TAP pipelines, which deliver Caspian energy resources to Europe without crossing Russian territory. Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, these projects have become increasingly important in Europe’s efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy.

Beyond energy, the article stresses Azerbaijan’s role as a key transit hub linking Europe with Central Asia. Rolofs stressed that as the northern route through Russia has become constrained by sanctions and war, while the route through Iran carries heightened geopolitical risks, the Middle Corridor has emerged as one of the most reliable and promising trade routes between Europe and Asia. The corridor connects Europe with the markets of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and China through Azerbaijan.

The article notes that the European Union now considers the Middle Corridor one of the flagship infrastructure projects under its Global Gateway strategy, with plans to deepen cooperation in energy, digital connectivity, critical raw materials, transport, and logistics.

Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, took part in the Peace Alliance Summit held in Luanda, Angola, on July 16-17 at the invitation of Miguel Ángel Moratinos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), and the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, AzerNEWS reports.

The summit was organized as part of the “Call for Peace, End of Wars and Respect for International Law” initiative.

According to the CMO’s press service, the opening ceremony featured speeches by Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, and President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Félix Antoine Tshisekedi. Speakers highlighted that Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade was the only religious leader participating in the summit.

During his visit, Pashazade held meetings with Moratinos, the presidents of Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Prime Minister of Namibia, Angola’s foreign minister, the mayor of Gernika in Spain, and several other senior officials.

Addressing the opening of a thematic session on July 17, Allahshukur Pashazade praised the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations for its efforts to promote peace and respect for international law. He also commended Moratinos for his contribution to strengthening dialogue among civilizations.

The Sheikh-ul-Islam highlighted Azerbaijan’s experience in promoting peace, multiculturalism, and interfaith dialogue, as well as the country’s close cooperation with the UN Alliance of Civilizations. He noted that President Ilham Aliyev’s efforts to advance the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process have received broad international recognition.

Pashazade stressed that all holy scriptures regard the killing of a single innocent person as a crime against all humanity. He underscored the importance of preserving the memory of the tragedies of Guernica, Srebrenica, and Khojaly, calling for ongoing conflicts to be resolved peacefully on the basis of international law and for stronger international cooperation to prevent future humanitarian disasters.

The thematic session continued with discussions on “The Role of Religious and Faith Leaders in Promoting Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence.”

Turkish security forces have detained 119 suspects with alleged links to the ISIS terrorist organization during a large-scale counterterrorism operation carried out across 30 provinces, AzerNEWS reports, citing Trkiye’s Ministry of Interior.

According to the ministry, the operation was conducted by the Turkish Gendarmerie in provinces including Istanbul, Ankara, Adana, Antalya, Bursa, Gaziantep, Kocaeli, Konya, Mardin, Samsun, and Van.

The detainees are accused of membership in ISIS, spreading terrorist propaganda through social media, and financing the terrorist organization through individuals allegedly linked to ISIS and organizations posing as charities.

During the operation, security forces also seized a large number of documents and digital materials belonging to the terrorist group.

The latest raids follow a series of recent counterterrorism operations in Trkiye. In late June, a suspected ISIS member was killed in an armed confrontation with police south of Ankara, just two weeks before the NATO summit in the Turkish capital. Following that incident, Turkish authorities detained an additional 209 suspects accused of links to ISIS.

SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, is in talks with the U.S. Department of Defense over a potential multibillion-dollar agreement to provide data center capacity for running artificial intelligence models, AzerNEWS reports, citing The Wall Street Journal.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the proposed arrangement would allow SpaceX to supply the Pentagon with computing capacity worth up to several billion dollars. The negotiations are ongoing, and no final agreement has been reached.

If concluded, the deal would further strengthen cooperation between SpaceX and the Pentagon while expanding the company’s presence in the rapidly growing AI infrastructure market.

The report notes that SpaceX has previously signed similar agreements with Anthropic and Google. Sources also said the company is exploring ways to compete with AI infrastructure providers such as CoreWeave by offering customers computing power at more competitive prices.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is paying a working visit to Qatar, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s post on X.

According to Anadolu Agency, Hakan Fidan is expected to reaffirm Trkiye’s strong solidarity with Qatar following the recent attacks on the country and discuss the deepening strategic partnership between Ankara and Doha across a range of sectors.

The discussions are also expected to cover preparations for the 12th meeting of the Trkiye-Qatar High Strategic Committee, which is scheduled to take place in Trkiye later this year under the co-chairmanship of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Fidan is expected to stress that recent regional developments have underscored the strategic importance of defense and military cooperation between the two countries. He is also likely to emphasize that regional challenges should be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy, and regional ownership, while calling for stronger joint efforts in this direction.

The talks are expected to address ways to strengthen cooperation on regional connectivity, which has become increasingly important for economic resilience and energy security.

In addition, the Turkish foreign minister is expected to present Ankara’s assessment of the latest developments in Gaza and the progress of the Gaza Peace Plan.

Fidan last visited Qatar on May 11-12.