Karel Will Modernize Azerbaijani Su-25 Avionics
The Turkish firm plans to integrate its backup flight display technology into the Azerbaijani Air Force fleet.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Semiconductors
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Turkish technology company Karel has announced plans to modernize the Azerbaijani Air Force fleet by integrating its proprietary avionics and backup flight displays. This project aims to bring the Su-25 aircraft closer to current digital instrumentation standards.
Why it matters
This initiative leverages existing defense communication ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan to facilitate the digital upgrade of older airframes. It signals a regional trend toward local integration of avionics systems in existing military hardware.
Karel is scaling its backup flight display technology, which currently operates on the Turkish Hurkuş platform, to the Su-25 airframe. These systems serve as essential digital redundancies for pilot navigation and flight control.
The players
Karel
A Turkish technology firm specializing in defense communications, avionics systems, and electronic instrumentation for military platforms.
Barış Bilir
A representative for Karel who announced the firm's strategic expansion into Azerbaijani aircraft modernization.
The details
The integration process involves replacing legacy cockpit instruments with Karel's digital backup flight displays, which provide critical situational data. These displays work by interpreting sensor inputs to deliver real-time flight telemetry, ensuring pilot visibility during primary system failures. By adapting architecture originally validated on the Hurkuş platform, the firm aims to standardize cockpit interfaces across the Azerbaijani fleet.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: Barış Bilir announced the modernization plans during the ADEX-2026 exhibition.
The Tech Race
This project follows a pattern of localized military technology upgrades formalized during international defense trade events like ADEX-2026. It marks a push to standardize avionics architecture using regional suppliers rather than relying solely on original equipment manufacturers.
The transition will primarily affect Azerbaijani Air Force maintenance workflows and pilot training protocols as cockpits shift to digital instrumentation. Implementation schedules remain unannounced, pending further project coordination with Azerbaijani defense officials.
The takeaway
This project underscores a broader shift toward integrating domestic digital avionics into aging international aircraft fleets. Watch for future updates on the project scope and the technical validation of Karel’s displays in the Su-25’s specific electrical environment.
Further reading
For broader context on how digital hardware is being updated in legacy platforms, see our coverage of Semiconductors.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Trend.
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