Satellite images suggest deployment of Turkish F-16 jets at Azerbaijan's Ganja Airport

Duvar English

Satellite images analyzed by New York Times reporters suggested the presence of at least two F-16 fighter jets belonging to the Turkish Air Force at the Ganja International Airport in Azerbaijan.

New York Times journalist Christiaan Triebert shared on Oct. 7 satellite images showing two F-16s and a possible CN-235 cargo aircraft in the Azerbaijani airport.

Triebert, who is part of the New York Times Visual Investigations team, explained his analysis of Planet Labs satellite images, saying that his team compared measurements and characteristics of aircraft at Ganja airport and concluded the F-16s were a “close match.”

“There are at least two F-16s at Ganja International Airport in Azerbaijan, our analysis of an Oct. 3 Planet Labs satellite image shows. The fighter jets are likely operated by the Turkish Air Force, alongside a possible CN-235 cargo aircraft,” said Triebert on Twitter.

The new images are believed to be an evidence of Turkish involvement in the ongoing battle between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Armenian Defense Ministry accused Turkey of playing a role in Azerbaijan’s aerial operations over Nagorno-Karabakh, a few days after the outbreak of the battle in the region on Sept. 27.

On Sept. 29, Armenia announced that one of its SU-25 fighter jets was shot down by a Turkish F-16 that took off from Ganja Airport in Azerbaijan. Ankara denied it.

The journalist said that they compared the aircraft seen in the satellite images with those operated by the Azerbaijani Air Force and concluded that Turkish-operated F-16 is the closest match.

“There’s also a larger aircraft on the Ganja apron, which we think is likely to be a CASA/IPTN CN-235 transport aircraft, also used by the Turkish Air Force. (It does resemble an Alenia C-27 too, but less likely to be in Azerbaijan due to its operators),” he said.

Citing a report by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, Triebert said, “In late July, Turkey deployed several F-16s to Azerbaijan for the joint TurAz Qartalı-2020 military exercises. Back then, at least five Turkish Air Force F-16s were filmed at the same location at Ganja International Airport.”

According to the New York Times, its Visual Investigations team “combines traditional reporting with digital sleuthing and the forensic analysis of visual evidence to find truth, hold the powerful to account and deconstruct important news events.”