a test to check capabilities. The next
stage is for the new pilots to spend
10-15 hours in our MiG-29 simulator.’
Presently, two simulators are available,
one for the MiG-29 and the other for
Su-25. ‘In parallel with the simulator
training, about 10-20 sorties, depending
on student needs, are own in the
two-seat ‘Fulcrum’ before the new MiG
pilot will have his rst solo ight in the
single-seater.’
The solo ight is just a basic sortie.
It takes up to a year to become a fully
operational pilot with the squadron. Night
ying and ground attack missions require
two more years of training. Conversion
and operational training are conducted
within the MiG-29 unit. According to one
of the instructor pilots, ‘It puts a lot of
pressure on the squadron to have training
in parallel with operational missions’.
This situation will change in the near
future with the opening of a dedicated
training school.
‘Air defense and ground support are
the most important tasks for our unit,’
continues base commander Rustamov.
‘We mostly train for air interception and
have up to three MiGs on alert each day.In 2016 we had 16 actual scrambles — we
have the MiG airborne within six minutes
when required. We also work with the
Su-25s, usually providing ghter cover.’
Two Azerbaijani MiG-29 pilots have
been ying with the Pakistani Air Force to
gain experience with the PAC/CAC JF-17
ghter. ‘First results are that the JF-17 is
comparable to our MiG-29C,’ the base
commander remarked.Kala: the air force hub
The largest concentration of aviation
assets is located at Kala Air Base, which
has recently added a new large hangar
area for maintenance and storage of
the resident helicopters. This opened
o cially in March 2018.
The majority of the helicopter force
consists of ‘Hind’ variants: the Mi-24V/P,
Mi-35M and Mi-24G ‘Super Hind’. It also
includes Mi-17-1V ‘Hip-Hs’, which double
as light attack/assault platforms and
troop transports. For this purpose the
Mi-17s can be equipped with a variety
of weapon systems such as the ‘Lahat’
(‘Skybow’), an advanced, lightweight
laser-guided missile, which is highly
e ective against a variety of targets
at ranges up to 5 miles (8km). The
‘Lahat’ can hit static or moving targets,
including helicopters, with pinpoint
accuracy and is manufactured by Israel
Aircraft Industries (IAI), which was
supported by Elbit during the weapon’s
introduction two years ago. Azerbaijan
was the rst export customer for
this system.
It is solely used by the Mi-17-1s,
unlike the ‘Baryer’ system, which canFORCE REPORT // AZERBAIJAN
84 October 2018 //^ http://www.combataircraft.net