Azerbaijan shows interest in Russian combat aircraft

A group of Azerbajani Air and Air Defence Force specialists visited industrial facilities in Russia earlier this month, according to a 7 April press release from the Azerbaijan MoD.

The delegation visited the Komsomolsk-na-Amur Aircraft Plant, where Su-35 and Su-57 fighters are manufactured, and the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, where Su-30SM fighters are made. In addition, Azeri pilots performed familiarisation flights on MiG-35 aircraft at an unnamed Russian air base.

Sources in Azerbaijan confirmed to Shephard that the MoD is interested in buying modern Russian combat aircraft․ Azerbaijani officials have held meetings with representatives of Rosoboronexport and executives from the aforementioned factories.