Skip to main content

Intel: Turkish F-16s spotted on runway in Azerbaijan

The discovery follows Armenia's allegation that Ankara has introduced combat aircraft into the Caucasus war.
An acrobatic plane pilot performs with General Dynamics F-16 Solo Turk aerial aerobatic aircraft during the 5th Sivrihisar Airshow in Sivrihisar district of Eskisehir, in Turkey, on September 13, 2020. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

F-16 aircraft parked on a tarmac in Azerbaijan most likely belong to Turkey, a New York Times inquiry concluded.

The fighter jets were photographed at Ganja International Airport on Oct. 3 not far from what appears to be a CN-235 transport aircraft, according to the NYT, which analyzed Planet Labs satellite imagery.

Both aircraft are owned by Turkey’s air force. Turkish F-16s were most recently deployed to Ganja airbase for exercises in July.

Why it matters:  The discovery of potential Turkish F-16s at Ganja comes follows unconfirmed reports that Ankara had introduced combat aircraft into Azerbaijan’s breakout conflict with Armenia.

Armenia’s Defense Ministry alleged late last month that a Turkish F-16 based out of Ganja airport shot down an Armenian Su-25 over Armenian territory, killing the pilot. Azerbaijan and Turkey denied the incident. Turkish officials called the allegation a “cheap propaganda stunt.”

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reportedly spoke with White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien earlier this month, seeking an audience with President Donald Trump to inquire whether the F-16s Pashinyan said Turkey had deployed in the conflict had been sold to Ankara by the United States.

Despite Washington’s apparent disinterest in war, the presence of Turkish F-16s in Azerbaijan is bound to raise concerns that such escalation could draw in foreign military support for Armenia. Israel is also reportedly arming Azerbaijan.

Russia criticized Turkey’s military exercises with Azerbaijan earlier this summer. The Kremlin has a military agreement with Armenia and a base in the country not far from the Turkish border.

What’s next:  Ankara is throwing its weight behind Baku in the conflict, demanding that Armenia withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh as a precondition to any cease-fire.

Despite Russia’s hesitant attitude toward involvement in the war so far, Turkey’s deployment of Syrian militants has raised homeland security concerns in Moscow.

Know more:  Fehim Tastekin and Amberin Zaman examine the precarious balance Russia faces in its calculations over whether to intervene directly in the conflict.

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise AI-driven

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. Prioritize your target industries for weekly review:

  • Capital Markets & Private Equity
  • Venture Capital & Startups
  • Green Energy
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainable Development
  • Leading Edge Technology
  • Oil & Gas
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Banking

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in

Turkey Briefing Turkey Briefing

Turkey Briefing

Top Turkey stories in your inbox each week

Trend Reports

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 22, 2019. (Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HOW HWEE YOUNG/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

From roads to routers: The future of China-Middle East connectivity

A general view shows the solar plant in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, on March 29, 2018. - On March 27, Saudi announced a deal with Japan's SoftBank to build the world's biggest solar plant. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

Regulations on Middle East renewable energy industry starting to take shape

Start your PRO membership today.

Join the Middle East's top business and policy professionals to access exclusive PRO insights today.

Join Al-Monitor PRO Start with 1-week free trial