Azerbaijan’s Su-25ML attack aircraft, modernized in Türkiye, has conducted a live release of a munition equipped with ASELSAN’s LGK-82 Laser Guidance Kit during the ongoing Birliyin Gücü-2026 joint military exercise.
The firing was reported on September 25, with footage showing an Azerbaijani Su-25ML employing an ASELSAN-guided weapon during the exercise. Azerbaijani and Turkish air force elements are participating in various training and combat scenarios, including operations involving Azerbaijan’s modernized Su-25ML fleet and its newly acquired JF-17C Block III fighters.
From Soviet-Era Attack Aircraft to Precision Strike Platform
The Su-25ML is the modernized version of Azerbaijan’s Su-25 fleet under the Lachin modernization programme, carried out by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ).
The modernization programme was formally contracted in July 2023 and was designed to integrate Turkish-made smart bombs and missiles while upgrading the aircraft’s avionics. Azerbaijani authorities subsequently confirmed that the upgraded aircraft had returned to Azerbaijan and that testing of the newly integrated Turkish weapons had been completed.
The latest LGK-82 firing demonstrates the practical use of one of those Turkish precision-guided weapons on the modernized aircraft.
What Is the LGK-82?
The LGK-82 is a laser-guidance kit developed by ASELSAN to convert conventional unguided bombs into precision-guided weapons.
According to ASELSAN, the system can convert 500-pound-class Mk-82 bombs, as well as 250 kg-class OFAB-250T and QFAB-250 LG bombs, into laser-guided munitions. The kit consists primarily of a semi-active laser seeker, guidance-control section and rear tail assembly.
The seeker detects laser energy reflected from the designated target and commands the bomb’s control surfaces to steer toward the illuminated aim point.
ASELSAN lists a published CEP of less than 10 meters, although actual accuracy depends on factors including target designation, release conditions, atmosphere and engagement geometry.
The company also describes the weapon as capable of engaging both stationary and moving targets and operating during day or night.
Published LGK-82 Specifications
| Feature | LGK-82 |
|---|---|
| Guidance | Semi-active laser |
| Seeker | Laser seeker |
| Compatible bombs | Mk-82, OFAB-250T, QFAB-250 LG |
| Published range — combat aircraft | Up to 12 km |
| Published range — UAVs | Up to 4.6 km |
| Published accuracy | CEP <10 m |
| Maximum listed altitude | 40,000 ft MSL |
| Weight including bomb | Approx. 280 kg |
| Length including bomb | Approx. 3.338 m |
| Diameter | Approx. 461 mm |
| Certified platforms | F-4, F-15, F-16, Su-25, Bayraktar Akıncı, HÜRKUŞ, Aksungur, ANKA III |
These are ASELSAN’s published system figures and should not be interpreted as guaranteed performance under every combat condition.
Su-25 Certification Is Not New
The integration of the LGK family with Azerbaijan’s Su-25 fleet is not a completely new development.
ASELSAN’s 2018 annual report stated that its LGK system had been certified on Azerbaijan’s Su-25 aircraft after successfully hitting laser-designated targets, followed by negotiations for supplying the kits to the Azerbaijani Air Force.
The significance of the current event is therefore that the capability is being demonstrated on the modernized Su-25ML configuration, rather than being a first-ever proof that an Azerbaijani Su-25 can employ an ASELSAN laser-guided weapon.
Why the Modernization Matters
The Su-25 was originally designed around close air support and attack missions rather than modern network-centric precision warfare.
Integrating modern avionics and Turkish precision-guided weapons changes the aircraft’s potential employment considerably.
Instead of relying exclusively on unguided rockets and bombs delivered at relatively short ranges, the modernized aircraft can employ precision weapons against designated targets while improving its compatibility with modern mission systems.
Azerbaijan’s continued operation of the Su-25ML alongside the newer JF-17C Block III also illustrates a mixed-fleet approach: newer multirole fighters can provide advanced air-combat and strike capabilities, while modernized Su-25s retain a dedicated ground-attack role.
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense continues to list Su-25ML aircraft among its active aviation assets in 2026 training activities.
A Turkish-Azerbaijani Defense-Industrial Link
The Su-25ML programme represents another example of Turkish defense technology being integrated into an Azerbaijani combat aircraft.
TUSAŞ’s modernization work combined aircraft-level upgrades with the integration of Turkish-developed weapons, while ASELSAN contributes the precision-guidance component.
The result is not a new aircraft design, but a modernized Soviet-origin attack platform equipped with contemporary Turkish avionics and precision-guided munitions.
The latest live firing during Birliyin Gücü-2026 provides a visible demonstration that this integration has progressed from development and certification into operational training.
The Su-25ML remains an attack aircraft at its core—but the integration of LGK-82 gives Azerbaijan a significantly more precise strike option than the original unguided-weapon configuration.
