Conflict archive

Soviet–Afghan War Weapons and Equipment

Soviet intervention in Afghanistan against mujahideen and other anti-government fighters.

The Soviet–Afghan War was the Soviet Union's intervention in Afghanistan against mujahideen resistance forces and their supporters.

This archive tracks weapon systems documented in the Soviet–Afghan War.

Entries should be limited to systems with direct conflict-use sourcing.

2 weapon systems

Context

Status: Published archive

Su-25, Ground-attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsSu-25Ground-attack aircraftSide: Soviet Union and Afghan government forcesRole: Close air support and battlefield strikeBuilt: Sukhoi / United Aircraft Corporation / Soviet Union / Russia / GeorgiaThe Su-25 is a Soviet-designed armored close air support aircraft built for low-level battlefield strike. Developed by Sukhoi, the twin-engine subsonic jet has been documented in combat from Afghanistan and Iraq to Syria, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ukraine.

Tu-22M, Long-range supersonic bomber and missile carrier, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsTu-22MLong-range supersonic bomber and missile carrierSide: Soviet Union and Afghan government forcesRole: Long-range strikeBuilt: Tupolev / Kazan Aircraft Production Association / Soviet Union / RussiaThe Tupolev Tu-22M3 Backfire-C is a variable-sweep long-range supersonic bomber and missile carrier built for sea and ground targets. Tupolev says the finalized Tu-22M3 entered service in 1989, can strike from 2,200 km away with guided missiles or aerial bombs, and remains one of Russia's principal long-range strike aircraft.