This stalwart of Soviet-era aviation remains an important part of the modern battlefield-an indication of staying power in terms of war.
The origin of the Su-25 dates back to the late 1960s when CAS from rough airfields was realized as a requirement within the Soviet Union because fighter bombers proved inadequate for such tasks.
The Frogfoot, for instance, has led the lineup of some of the most significant and continuing battles worldwide, ranging from Ukraine to Central Africa.
In actual conception, the Su-25 first took shape in 1969. That was when the Kremlin needed a new close air support platform. The Sukhoi T-8 concept demonstrator finally became the Su-25 “Grach” that entered service in 1981.
Its rugged structure boasts a titanium “bathtub-style” cockpit to protect pilots. This resonates with the U.S.
So, coming equipped with a twin-barrel 30mm gun, and coupled with its ability to carry any of a veritable assortment of rockets, missiles, and bombs, the A-10 Thunderbolt II has an approach to survivability that truly makes this aircraft over-endowed for low-flying strike missions among the world’s aviation community-the mandate to fly low and within shorter ranges.
The Su-25 fought through numerous wars in the course of its service life. Its baptism of fire took place in the Soviet-Afghan War, where it had flown over 50,000 sorties.
As soon as this aircraft was checked against the U.S.-supplied Stinger missiles, it started losing more aircraft. There are considerable independent operations by Frogfoot during the Iran-Iraq War, the Chechen Wars, and the Second Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, yet this aircraft has remained a terror for the battlefield.
It has widely been used by both Russian and Ukrainian forces involved in the continued fighting in Ukraine. It has been upgraded over the years with progressively better targeting, electronic warfare, and navigation systems mounted.
Its capabilities have improved over time. It has developed the so-called M1 models within Ukraine, which feature upgraded avionics, and Russia has uniformly added new versions of its own, the Su-25SM3.
The Frogfoot’s resilience and flexibility have ensured it stays in service as the U.S. Air Force tries to retire its A-10 fleet.
The Su-25’s exportation was widespread such that it served in many countries, including Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan, and Iraq, among others.
Even though many Su-25s have been destroyed in Ukraine, this aircraft remains a critical asset in the Russian military arsenal.
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