TUSAŞ's LAÇIN modernisation for Azerbaijani Air Force's Russian-made Su-25 attack aircraft is displayed at ADEX 2024, Azerbaijan.
The modernisation package includes cockpit modernisation with digital displays and a revamp of armament with Turkish munitions.
LAÇIN modernisation has been divided into two phases, Merhale-1 and Merhale-2, with different levels of system integration.
Merhale-1, as the basic phase, has added the UBAS (Aircraft-Independent Firing System) as a plug-and-play solution for the integration of KGK-82/83, TEBER-82 guided bombs, and SOM-B1 cruise missiles. As of July 30, 2024, the seventh aircraft has been delivered.
Merhale-2 is more comprehensive, with a complete overhaul of avionics, including the cockpit, mission computer, radios, communication link, INS, and more. The PDR for the Merhale-2 standard was reviewed on May 23, 2024. Merhale-2 will add HGK GPS-guided bombs and SOM ŞAHİN cruise missiles to the armament. No information regarding SOM ŞAHİN has been released yet.
A modernised Su-25 with a new livery has been put on display alongside a SOM cruise missile, TÜBİTAK SAGE' KGK-83 wing guidance kit for Mk83 GPBs, ROKETSAN's TEBER-82 Laser+GPS guided bomb and ASELSAN's QFAB-250-LG laser-guided bomb.
A KGK-83 was dropped from the modernised Su-25 LAÇIN in Merhale-1 standard, hitting the target successfully in 2023. KGK's wings provide an extended gliding range of 100+ km when launched from fighter aircraft.
QFAB-250-LG is a development of ASELSAN's LGK laser guidance kit for Mk-series GPBs, which was adapted for the Russian FAB-250 GPBs due to geometry differences.
The addition of ROKETSAN's SOM-B1 cruise missile to the Azerbaijani Su-25's arsenal adds a stand-off attack capability, which wasn't present until modernisation. The missile, capable of reaching a range of 250+ km, carries a HE-FRAG warhead. SOM-B1's guidance consists of GNSS, INS, IIR seeker, and TERCOM.
Su-25, developed by the USSR as a ground attack aircraft for close air support, still serves Russia and some Asian air forces due to its durability and payload capacity. The LAÇIN modernisation by TUSAŞ can be summarised as combining these qualities with renewed avionics and modern weaponry.
