ADEX 2026: MKE showcases BMP-1 upgrade package
An upgraded BMP-1, designated BMP-1TA, with a Turan unmanned turret and other smaller changes, presented by MKE subsidiary MKA at ADEX in October 2026. (Janes/Christopher Petrov)
Makine ve Kimya Azerbaijan (MKA), the local subsidiary of Turkish state-owned Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE), unveiled a new turret and associated BMP-1 upgrade package at the Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition (ADEX), held in Baku from 30 September to 2 October 2026.
On 30 September MKA and Azeri Ministry of Defence- (MoD-) operated MIRAS enterprise signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle modernisation and joint defence industry projects. The first modernised BMP-1TA, named “Turan”, was publicly unveiled at ADEX 2026.
The upgrade was developed following an agreement signed between MKE and MIRAS at SAHA 2026. BMP-1s constitute a sizeable proportion of Azerbaijan's wider IFV inventory. Tolga M Çelik, deputy general manager at MKE, provided Janes with details of the upgrade package and its development during ADEX.
The BMP-1TA retains the protection and mobility characteristics of the original BMP-1 but increases its firepower to a level broadly comparable with that of the BMP-2. Its Turan turret is armed with a dual-feed 2A42 30×165 mm cannon. Janes understands from MKE that the demonstrator is fitted with a locally produced version of the 2A42, designated AT-30 by Azersilah. The cannon on the Turan turret has an elevation range of −5° to +70°.
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