The Su-25ML displayed at ADEX. (Janes/Jeremy Binnie)
Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ) provided more details of the upgrade it is carrying out on Azerbaijan's Sukhoi Su-25 ground-attack aircraft during the Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition (ADEX) 2024 held in Baku from 24 to 26 September.
A poster displayed alongside one of the upgraded Su-25s at ADEX explained the timeline for the programme, saying it has two stages, the first of which enables the aircraft to launch Teber-82 guided bombs, KGK-82 and KGK-83 glide bombs, and SOM-B1 cruise missiles without affecting their existing systems. Work began on 10 March 2023, with test firings taking place in May 2023, and deliveries in July 2023.
The second stage involves a comprehensive avionics upgrade with Aselsan's Advanced Modular Computer (MGB) to process data, new multifunction and heads-up displays, a hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS), a new very-high-frequency/ultra-high-frequency (VHF/UHF) radio, a radio altimeter, navigation systems, and a weapons interface unit.
It listed the additional weapons to be integrated as the LGK-82 and LGK-83 laser-guided bombs and the SOM Şahin, which was presumably a reference to a previously unknown version of Türkiye's SOM cruise missile.
Another poster of the layout of the Su-25's cockpit after the second-stage upgrade showed it has controls for a radar warning receiver and countermeasure flares.
The timeline the first poster gave for the second stage suggested it may not have been finalised yet, with a system-requirements review taking place on 23 November 2023 and a preliminary design review on 23 May.
For more information on the Su-25, please seeSukhoi Su-25 and Su-28 .
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