On 23 December, the Russian newspaper “Vedomosti“ acquired information from two top managers in the Russian defence industry that Azerbaijan is interested in purchasing the latest Russian fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the Su-57 and that the green light to start of the negotiation process was given at the highest political level.
The experts also revealed that the prospects of this purchase were already discussed between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin on 3 October at the Valdai Business Forum in Sochi (Caucasus Watch reported). Aliyev spoke at the Valdai forum that day, where, without going into details, he announced the continuation of work on the development of military-technical cooperation.
Over the past decade, Azerbaijan purchased about $5 billion in Russian arms, of which Aliyev said in Sochi that about $3 billion was received. Thus, contracts were signed for the purchase of two anti-aircraft divisions S-300PMU-2 missile systems, up to 100 T-90S tanks and 118 BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, 18 Msta-S self-propelled artillery systems, 18 Smerch multiple launch rocket launchers and other military equipment. At the same time, in terms of aviation, deliveries were limited exclusively to Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters. Azerbaijan has long shown interest in the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 fighter (developed with the assistance of Russia) and acquired Pakistan's MFI-395 Super Mushshak light training aircraft.
The experts further emphasized that this interest came as a reaction to Armenia’s purchase of Su-30SM-fighter jets on 22 July (Caucasus Watch reported).
Experts also warned that negotiations on the deal can last long enough and be accompanied by a number of conditions from Azerbaijan. They believe that Azerbaijan is currently only ready to purchase a relatively small number of vehicles - no more than a squadron. The potential purchase itself, on the one hand, is demonstrative: since Armenia will receive Su-30SM fighters in the near future, Azerbaijan considers it necessary to purchase a more advanced aircraft. On the other hand, the Azerbaijani Air Force needs a high-quality and fairly massive upgrade, so the choice can be made not only in favour of the Su-57, but, for example, in favour of the purchase of Chinese-Pakistani fighters, whose price is much lower.
