Aliyev Confirms Presence of Turkish F-16 Jets in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has given an interview to CNN news.

- Is it true that you have deployed Turkish F-16s?

- The F-16 was intended for military exercises in Azerbaijan. Last year, we and Turkey conducted 10 military exercises, and this is a normal occurrence for us since Turkey is our ally. However, due to the pandemic, there have only been two exercises this year. One of those exercises took place before Armenia's attack on Azerbaijan. The F-16 has never been deployed in the air or during any combat.

- So it is unequivocally this way?

- Yes, it is. Moreover, there was misinformation in Armenia claiming that an F-16 shot down an Armenian SU-25. I want to state that this is incorrect information and misinformation. Those who say such things should apologize. And yes, you are right, the F-16 is here in Azerbaijan, but it has never been used in the air, only on the ground, as you mentioned.