The latest Azerbaijani camouflage pattern, sometimes referred to as M2024, appears to be a derivative of Turkish Army M2021 pattern, writes Bob Morrison.
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At the December 2025 Egyptian Defence and Security Exhibition (EDEX 2025) I spotted a mannequin displayed on the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defence Industry (Azersilah) stand which I was assured was an example of the latest uniform issued to Army personnel from 2024. At first I presumed the camo pattern to be standard Turkish Army 2021, which did not surprise me as Azerbaijan’s armed forces have previously been issued with uniforms in Turkish M2008 digital pattern, but further research and comparison with my image archive suggests that the colour palette has been changed though the pattern design itself appears to be very similar.
Unless one can compare actual uniforms, preferably unworn, or fabric samples side by side under precisely the same lighting conditions it can be difficult to be definitive about colourways but in this case I feel pretty certain that the Azerbaijanis have opted for a more verdant bias than Türkiye. This is logical as although the two countries are geographically quite close and broadly on the same latitude, the Lesser Caucasus mountain range separates them with more low-lying plains on the Azerbaijan side plus the Caspian Sea nation has a predominantly Sub-Tropical rather than Mediterranean climate.
Drawing comparisons between camo pattern designs can also be problematic unless large enough fabric samples, preferably a full repeat, are available and even if combat jacket back panels are photographed alongside each other the chances of both being taken from the same part of the pattern repeat are unlikely. I try to photograph back panels whenever possible as usually these have few or no seams,whereas other parts of a combat uniform usually have pockets or are tailored from different parts of the fabric roll meaning the impression can be confusing.
In the past I have managed to photograph a couple of different Turkish M2021 pattern back panels, in Istanbul in July 2025 and on Salisbury Plain in September 2022. However lighting conditions on both occasions, indoor under expo lighting in Turkey and outdoors in a rainy and autumnal UK, were sufficiently diverse to give different overall colour impressions. Even so, I feel pretty sure that Azerbaijan has changed the colourway while still retaining the overall camo effect. Maybe one day I’ll have the opportunity to photograph wearers of both uniforms side-by-side.
§ Invaded by the Red Army in 1920 and absorbed by the Soviet Union in 1922, Azerbaijan declared its independence again in 1991. Since then its armed forces have drawn away from former Soviet / Russian influences but the country has not attempted to join NATO. It is however, just like Russia was until its membership was Suspended following the 2014 invasion of Crimea, a member of the NATO-led Partnership for Peace or PfP programme.
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¤ See also:- Turkish Military Camo Patterns ~ and Boots
