Key Points and Summary: The Sukhoi Su-25 “Frogfoot,” a rugged Soviet-era ground-attack aircraft, remains influential due to its durability, precision, and adaptability in close air support roles. Developed in the late 1960s to address the limitations of earlier Soviet fighters, it boasts heavy armor, powerful weaponry, and a titanium cockpit for pilot protection.
Key Point #1 – The Su-25 has an impressive combat record, serving in conflicts from Afghanistan to Ukraine, often surviving severe battle damage.
Key Points #2 – Despite ending production in 2010, the aircraft continues flying in multiple air forces. Its continued operational use highlights its enduring legacy and pivotal role in modern combat scenarios around the globe.
Meet Russia’s Su-25: The ‘Flying Tank’ Still Dominating the Battlefield
The Sukhoi Su-25, known by its NATO reporting name “Frogfoot,” is a subsonic, single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed by the Soviet Union’s Sukhoi Design Bureau. Designed to provide close air support for Soviet Ground Forces, the Su-25 has earned a reputation for its durability, versatility, and effectiveness in various combat scenarios since its introduction in the early 1980s.
Development and Design of the Su-25
The development of the Frogfoot began in the late 1960s when the Soviet Ministry of Defence recognized the need for a specialized ground-attack aircraft. The existing fighter-bombers, such as the Su-7, Su-17, MiG-21, and MiG-23, did not adequately meet the requirements for close air support. The Su-25 was designed to fill this gap, drawing inspiration from the experiences of ground-attack aviation during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.
The first prototype of the Su-25 made its maiden flight on February 22, 1975. After extensive testing, the aircraft entered series production in 1978 at the Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing plant in the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. The Su-25 was officially introduced into service on July 19, 1981.
The Soviet Union’s A-10 and ‘Flying Tank’
The Su-25 is a robust and heavily armored aircraft designed to withstand significant damage while delivering precise and powerful attacks. It features a titanium alloy cockpit that provides excellent protection for the pilot. Two Soyuz/Gavrilov R-195 turbojet engines power the aircraft, each producing 44.18 kN of thrust.
The Su-25 measures 15.53 meters in length, 4.8 meters in height, and has a wingspan of 14.36 meters. The wing area is 30.1 square meters. The aircraft has an empty weight of 10,740 kilograms and a maximum take-off weight of 17,600 kilograms. It can reach a maximum speed of 950 km/h at sea level and has a service ceiling of 7,000 meters (5,000 meters with a full weapon load). The combat radius is 375 kilometers.
The Su-25 is equipped with a 30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2 autocannon with 250 rounds, and it can carry a variety of bombs, rockets, and missiles on its hardpoints. The aircraft also features a laser rangefinder and target designator in the nose, enhancing its precision in targeting ground forces.
Over the years, several variants of the Frogfoot were developed to meet different operational needs. Early variants included the Su-25UB two-seat trainer, the Su-25BM for target-towing, and the Su-25K for export customers. Some aircraft were upgraded to the Su-25SM standard in 2012, which included modern avionics and improved combat capabilities.
Further developments, such as the Su-25T and Su-25TM (also known as the Su-39), were introduced but not produced in significant numbers. The Su-25UTG is a two-seater aircraft carrier variant fitted with an arrester hook under the tail, deployed on the Russian Navy’s aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov.
Long and Glorious Combat History
The Su-25 saw extensive use during the Soviet-Afghan War, where it flew counter-insurgency missions against the Afghan Mujahideen. The first Su-25 combat unit, the 200th Independent Attack Squadron, was deployed to Afghanistan in 1980. The aircraft performed admirably in the harsh conditions, flying over 60,000 sorties throughout the conflict. The Su-25’s rugged design allowed it to withstand significant damage from ground fire and became a feared presence among the Mujahideen.
The Iraqi Air Force employed the Su-25 against Iran during the Iran-Iraq War from 1980 to 1988. Most Iraqi Su-25s were later destroyed or flown to Iran during the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
The Su-25 continued to see action in various regional conflicts throughout the 1990s and 2000s. The Georgian Air Force used it during the Abkhazian War (1992-1993) and the Macedonian Air Force against Albanian insurgents in the 2001 Macedonian conflict. Both Georgia and Russia employed the Su-25 during the Russo-Georgian War in 2008.
In recent years, the Frogfoot has been involved in several high-profile conflicts. The Russian Air Force has used the Su-25 extensively in the Syrian civil war, providing close air support to Syrian government forces. The aircraft has also seen action in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, where both Armenian and Azerbaijani forces employed the Su-25.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has seen the Su-25 used by both Russian and Ukrainian forces. The aircraft’s ability to deliver precise and powerful attacks while withstanding significant damage has made it a valuable asset in this conflict.
The Su-25 Keeps Flying
The Su-25’s legacy is marked by its resilience and adaptability in various combat environments. Its ability to deliver close air support with precision and withstand significant damage has made it a valuable asset for many air forces around the world. Despite the end of its production in 2010, the Frogfoot continues to serve in several countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and others.
Su-25 Frogfoot. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Efforts to restart production in Georgia using partially completed airframes have begun, but as of June 2022, no new deliveries have been reported. The Su-25’s enduring presence in modern conflicts underscores its importance as a reliable and effective ground-attack aircraft.
All in all, the Frogfoot remains a testament to Soviet engineering and its commitment to providing robust and effective close air support. Its continued use in various conflicts highlights its enduring value and its critical role in modern warfare. Despite its age, the Su-25 will likely continue to provide close air support to militaries worldwide well into the future.
Su-25. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
