The aircraft is co-produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and developed jointly with Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation of China, with whom Islamabad has grown increasingly close as ties with traditional military ally the United States have weakened over the last few years.

The jet fighter is known as FC-1 Xiaolong in the Chinese service. 

The military did not provide the cost or quantity of jets agreed to, but said in a statement that the sale was part of Islamabad's efforts to enhance defense cooperation with friendly countries and bolster the air power capabilities of Azerbaijan.

Pakistan is also a close ally of Turkey, which backed Azerbaijan in its standoff with Armenia when clashes erupted between the two South Caucasus countries in 2023, resuming decades-old hostilities.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev was in Pakistan in July on a state visit where the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in a number of areas, including defense.

Following the visit, Pakistan deployed an air force contingent at Baku to participate in the Azerbaijan defense exhibition to showcase the aircraft, Pakistan's military said.

The aircraft "is capable of undertaking a wide array of combat missions providing contemporary airpower employment options," the statement added.

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