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Beichen commented
Editor|Beichen commented
On a sunny day in September 2024, military enthusiasts in Azerbaijan were excitedly talking. Their long-awaited "Thunder" fighter is finally coming! This is no ordinary fighter, but the latest Block 3 model, which can be said to be the top luxury version of the "Thunder" family.
On 25 September, the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan held a grand induction ceremony. President Aliyev and the Minister of Defense and other high-ranking officials were present, which shows how much importance they attach to this new batch of toys. The atmosphere was warm, as if welcoming an old friend who had been reunited for a long time.
Speaking of this deal, it is really not a small amount. Azerbaijan and Pakistan signed a large deal worth about $1.6 billion. The first batch of arrivals was 12 Thunders, of which 8 were single-seaters and 4 were two-seaters. The single-seater is suitable for solo flight, and the two-seater can take a small partner for a ride.
According to well-informed sources, this may be just the beginning, and the final order book could exceed 50. It seems that Azerbaijan is preparing to form an army of "Thunder Dragons"!
So, what is so special about this "Thunder Dragon"? First of all, its price is very "affordable". Among fighters of the same class, the "Thunder" can be said to be the king of cost performance. But don't think that cheap means simple, on the contrary, the "Thunder" Block3 is equipped with a lot of high-tech.
It's equipped with an advanced active phased array radar, which allows pilots to see farther and more clearly in the sky. It's like equipping a fighter with a pair of "clairvoyance". In addition, the "Thunder" can also launch a variety of air-to-air and ground-to-ground missiles, and is simply an all-rounder in the air.
What's even more powerful is that the "Thunder" also has the ability to refuel in the air. This means that it can stay in the sky longer and fly longer distances. It's like fitting a car with an oversized fuel tank, so you don't have to worry about running out of gas halfway.
So, why did Azerbaijan choose the "Thunder"? There are several reasons for this.
First of all, relations between Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia have not been very harmonious, and there are fights from time to time. In this situation, Azerbaijan urgently needs some advanced weapons to strengthen itself.
Second, Azerbaijan's main arms supplier was originally Russia. But since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Russia has been too busy to take care of itself, how can there be excess advanced fighters sold to others? This gives weapons from other countries a chance.
Moreover, the "Thunder" not only has advanced performance, but also has a great advantage: political neutrality. It's not like some countries' weapons, and you have to worry about whether you will get stuck in the neck after you buy it. With the "Thunder", Azerbaijan can fly boldly with confidence.
Finally, the logistics and maintenance system of the "Thunder" is very similar to that of Soviet-made fighters. This is simply too convenient for Azerbaijan. They originally had a lot of Soviet-made fighters, but now they have been replaced by "Thunder Dragons", and the maintenance personnel do not have to re-learn, which can be said to be seamless.
The arrival of the "Thunder" will undoubtedly greatly enhance the strength of the Azerbaijan Air Force. However, it is not enough to have aircraft, it is also necessary to establish a complete logistics support and maintenance system. After all, no matter how good a sports car is, it won't go far without gas stations and repair shops.
From a larger perspective, the successful export of the "Thunder" to Azerbaijan is not only a successful case of cooperation between China and Pakistan, but also a sign that China's influence in the international arms sales market is increasing. This successful deal is likely to attract the attention of more countries.
Speaking of which, I don't know how many military enthusiasts have begun to fantasize about the scene of flying into the sky in the "Thunder Dragon". However, let's leave this opportunity to professional pilots. After all, for most people, it's already a great experience to be able to drive a Thunder in the game.
Back to reality, the arrival of the "Thunder" is undoubtedly a big event for Azerbaijan. It not only strengthens national defense capabilities, but also points the way for future military modernization. Of course, having advanced weapons is only the first step, and how to effectively use and maintain these weapons is the real challenge.
For Azerbaijan pilots, flying the Thunder may be a completely new experience. Switching from a Soviet-made fighter to a "Thunder" is like switching from an old-fashioned manual transmission car to a modern automatic transmission model. Although the basic principle is the same, there is a qualitative leap forward in the way of operation and performance. I'm sure they'll soon fall in love with this new fighter.
At the same time, Azerbaijan's military engineers and technicians will face new challenges. They need to learn how to maintain and care for these high-tech fighters. This requires not only specialized knowledge, but also a lot of practical experience. I believe that in the coming days, there will be many technicians racking their brains for a small part.
From a geopolitical point of view, the introduction of the "Thunder" may cause concern in neighboring countries. Countries that are at odds with Azerbaijan in particular may feel pressured. However, the introduction of weapons is essentially aimed at maintaining peace, not provoking conflict. It is hoped that this new batch of fighters will become a powerful guarantee for maintaining regional stability, rather than a new powder keg.
The success of this deal is undoubtedly an important milestone for China and Pakistan. It proves the competitiveness of the "Thunder" fighter in the international market and also opens up new prospects for military-industrial cooperation between the two countries. In the future, we may see more collaborations like this.
Of course, success always comes with responsibility. As the international popularity of the Thunder fighter increases, China and Pakistan also need to provide users with better after-sales service and technical support. This has a bearing not only on the reputation of the "Thunder Dragon" but also on the long-term development of the two countries in the international arms sales market.
For other countries that are looking to modernize their air forces, Azerbaijan's options may become a reference. With its excellent performance and reasonable price, the "Thunder" fighter provides a new option for those countries with limited budgets but eager to have advanced fighters. We may see more countries join the Thunder user club in the future.
Back in Azerbaijan, the arrival of the Thunder could bring a series of ripple effects. For example, it may contribute to the modernization of other branches of Azerbaijan's armed forces. After all, with advanced air power, the ground forces and the navy cannot lag too far behind. We may see Azerbaijan increase its military investment in the coming years and comprehensively improve its defense capabilities.
For ordinary Azerbaijan citizens, the arrival of the "Thunder" may become a new pride. Just as the people of many countries pride themselves on having advanced weapons, the Thunder may become a symbol of Azerbaijan's defense modernization. Perhaps in the near future, we will be able to see the "Thunder Dragon" appear at the military parade in Azerbaijan and become the focus of national attention.
Finally, let's look further into the future. The successful export of the Thunder may encourage more developing countries to invest in the research and development of advanced weapons. This is not only related to national defense and security, but is also closely related to scientific and technological progress and economic development. Perhaps in the near future, we will see more advanced weapons systems from developing countries appear on the international market.
In general, the inclusion of the "Thunder" fighter in the Azerbaijan Air Force is a win-win result for all parties. It not only boosted Azerbaijan's defense capabilities, but also earned a reputation for the Chinese and Pakistani military industries, while providing a model for other developing countries. In any case, this is going to be a development to keep an eye on.
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