- Side
- Soviet Union and Afghan government forces
Soviet Su-25s flew close-air-support and counterinsurgency sorties in Afghanistan, where the type became one of the VVS aircraft most associated with low-altitude battlefield attack.
Aircraft & UAVs
Su-25
Also known as
- Frogfoot
- Su-25 Frogfoot
- Su-25 Grach
- Grach
The Su-25 is a Soviet-designed armored close air support aircraft built for low-level battlefield strike, rough-field operation, and heavy stores carriage. Developed by Sukhoi and produced in Soviet, Russian, and Georgian factories, the twin-engine subsonic jet combines a protected cockpit, internal 30 mm cannon, and multiple pylons for rockets, bombs, missiles, and adapted guided weapons, with documented use from Afghanistan and Iraq to Darfur, Syria, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ukraine.
Role in Conflicts
- Side
- Iraq
- Role in conflict
- Attack sorties and battlefield strike
Iraqi Su-25s entered service late in the Iran-Iraq War and were used for battlefield attack sorties against Iranian forces.
- Side
- Iraq
Iraqi Su-25s were fielded in the Gulf War as ground-attack aircraft; coalition air superiority limited their employment, with Su-25s documented among Iraqi aircraft shot down, destroyed on the ground, or flown to Iran.
Role details- Side
- MPLA government
- Role in conflict
- Ground-attack sorties
The Su-25 operational history records combat use in Angola, but the currently retained source is a broad operational-history reference rather than a detailed campaign study.
- Side
- Georgia
- Role in conflict
- Attack sorties
Georgian Su-25s were used for ground-attack missions during the 1992-1993 war in Abkhazia, with losses documented during the campaign.
- Role in conflict
- Strike aircraft
Azerbaijani and Armenian Su-25 aircraft were documented in the first Nagorno-Karabakh air war, including Azerbaijani ground-attack sorties and Armenian close-air-support aircraft.
- Side
- Russia
Russian Su-25s flew strike sorties in the First Chechen War, including attacks around Grozny and other close-air-support missions.
- Side
- Russia
Russian Su-25s were again used for close-air-support and strike missions in the Second Chechen War.
- Side
- Ethiopia
Ethiopia acquired and used Su-25TK attack aircraft during the Eritrean-Ethiopian War period as part of its ground-attack aviation force.
Macedonia bought four Su-25 aircraft from Ukraine during the 2001 conflict and used them in reconnaissance and ground-attack missions against Albanian insurgent positions.
Ivorian government Su-25UBs bombed rebel positions in northern Cote d'Ivoire in November 2004; after an attack killed French peacekeepers at Bouake, French forces destroyed two Sukhoi 25 aircraft on the ground at Yamoussoukro.
- Side
- Sudanese government and allied militias
UN Panel of Experts reporting documented Sudanese Su-25 ground-attack aircraft operating in Darfur, including a May 2014 sighting at El Fasher Forward Operating Base treated as an arms-embargo violation.
- Side
- GeorgiaRussia and South Ossetian forces
Georgian and Russian Su-25s were used in the 2008 war; open-source loss accounting documents Russian Su-25 losses and the conflict record documents Georgian air-support sorties.
Iraqi Air Force Su-25s supported the anti-ISIS campaign in Iraq after aircraft were delivered from Russia and Iran in 2014.
Used by Russian forces in Syria to support Syrian government offensives, including close-air-support missions in the northwest.
Role detailsIraqi Air Force Su-25s flew strike sorties against Islamic State forces during the campaign that ended ISIS territorial control in Iraq.
Fielded by both sides during the 2020 war: Azerbaijani MoD releases described Azerbaijani Su-25 airstrikes and Armenian Su-25s attempting strikes on Azerbaijani positions.
Operated by Ukraine for close air support and battlefield strike missions, while CNA assessed Russian Su-25SM/SM3 aircraft shifted to low-level and standoff rocket attacks after early losses in Ukraine's dense air-defense environment; Ukrainian Su-25s were later adapted to launch HAMMER/AASM guided bombs.
Role detailsProfile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- Soviet Union
- Built in
- Soviet UnionRussiaGeorgia
- Type
- Ground-attack aircraft
- Service note
- Cold War close air support
- Designer
- Sukhoi Design Bureau
- Designed
- 1972-1975
- Produced
- 1978-1991 for main Su-25 production; limited Su-25TM production reported in 1992-1998, with later modernization programs
- Number built
- More than 1,200 reported by Forecast International in 2007
- Developed from
- Sukhoi T-8
Specifications
- Crew
- 1
- Dimensions
- Length 15.53 m; wingspan 14.36 m; height 4.80 m
- Weight
- Empty about 9,315 kg; normal takeoff about 14,600 kg; maximum takeoff about 17,600 kg for baseline Su-25 figures
- Powerplant
- Two R-195 turbojet engines in commonly cited late/baseline reference data
- Performance
- Maximum speed about 970-975 km/h at sea level; practical ceiling about 7,000 m
- Range
- Maximum flight range about 750 km at low level and about 1,250 km at altitude; combat radius about 300 km
- Armament
- 30 mm GSh-30-2 cannon; up to about 4,340-4,400 kg of stores on 10 underwing hardpoints
Variants
Su-25 designations separate export, trainer, naval-training, target-tug, anti-tank, national modernization, and Russian service-modernization variants from the baseline single-seat attack aircraft.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Su-25K | Export single-seat attack aircraft | Export variant built at Factory 31 in Tbilisi, with 180 aircraft reported between 1984 and 1989. Sources: National Defence University of Ukraine Su-25, Sukhoi Su-25 - Archived 3/2008 |
| Su-25UB | Two-seat combat trainer | Two-seat trainer and operational-conversion variant first flown from Ulan-Ude in August 1985 and capable of weapons-training missions. Sources: National Defence University of Ukraine Su-25, Sukhoi Su-25 - Archived 3/2008 |
| Su-25UBK | Export two-seat combat trainer | Export trainer variant produced at Ulan-Ude for customers of the Su-25K. |
| Su-25UTG | Carrier landing trainer | Naval-training adaptation of the Su-25UB for ski-jump and arrester-wire landing practice. Sources: Sukhoi Su-25 - Archived 3/2008, RIA Su-25 Specifications |
| Su-25BM | Target-towing variant | Target-tug variant developed for air-defense training, with the T-8BM1 prototype first flown in March 1990. Sources: National Defence University of Ukraine Su-25, Sukhoi Su-25 - Archived 3/2008 |
| Su-25T | Anti-tank attack variant | One-seat anti-tank development with Shkval targeting equipment and compatibility with Vikhr missiles and guided bombs or missiles. Sources: National Defence University of Ukraine Su-25, RIA Su-25 Specifications |
| Su-25TM / Su-39 | Improved anti-tank and precision-attack development | Further Su-25T development with improved navigation and attack systems and provision for podded radar; production remained limited. Sources: Sukhoi Su-25 - Archived 3/2008, National Defence University of Ukraine Su-25 |
| Su-25KM Scorpion | Georgian/Israeli avionics upgrade | Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing and Elbit announced the Scorpion modernization in 2001 with glass-cockpit, navigation, helmet-display, and weapon-delivery upgrades. Sources: Sukhoi Su-25 - Archived 3/2008, National Defence University of Ukraine Su-25 |
| Su-25M1 | Ukrainian modernization | Ukrainian modernization with locally installed satellite navigation, warning and control, radio, and sighting updates. |
| Su-25SM3 | Russian service modernization | Russian modernization with updated sighting and navigation equipment, optical-laser thermal/television sighting equipment, satellite navigation, electronic-warfare systems, and precision-weapon compatibility. Sources: RIA on Su-25SM3 modernization, TASS on Rostec Su-25 modernization |
Carried and Launched Munitions
The Su-25's normal stores mix spans unguided rocket pods, missiles, bombs, and adapted Western precision munitions in Ukrainian service.
| Launched item | Item type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 57 mm unguided rocket | Airforce Technology identifies UB-32A pods for 57 mm S-5 rockets among Su-25 rocket options. Sources: Su-25 Attack Aircraft |
 | 80 mm unguided rocket family | Airforce Technology lists B-8M1 pods for 80 mm S-8 rockets among the Su-25's carried rocket armament. Sources: Su-25 Attack Aircraft |
 | Precision-guided bomb family | TWZ reported Ukrainian Su-25s launching Hammer rocket-boosted bombs, and The Aviationist said the aircraft began using AASM Hammer bombs in 2024. Sources: TWZ on Ukrainian Su-25s launching Hammer bombs, The Aviationist on Ukrainian Su-25s with AASM Hammer |
 | Short-range air-to-air missile | BFBS Forces News identifies the R-60/AA-8 Aphid among the air-to-air missiles carried on the Su-25's smaller outboard pylons. Sources: What is the Su-25 aircraft? |
Loadout and Survivability Notes
The Su-25 was designed for low-altitude battlefield attack rather than high-speed interception. Its most page-relevant traits are the protected cockpit, cannon, rough-field tolerance, and broad stores compatibility; recent Ukraine reporting shows both the continuing utility and the limits of that design in dense air-defense conditions.
| Feature | Documented context | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Armored cockpit | Airforce Technology describes a titanium-alloy cockpit and armored windscreen block protecting the pilot. | Su-25 Attack Aircraft |
| Rocket-pod attack | The aircraft can carry UB-32A pods for S-5 rockets and B-8M1 pods for S-8 rockets; CNA describes Russian Su-25s in Ukraine using standoff rocket-lobbing attacks after early low-level losses. | Su-25 Attack Aircraft; Russian Combat Air Strengths and Limitations |
| Western guided-bomb adaptation | Open reporting in 2024-2025 documented Ukrainian Su-25s launching French HAMMER/AASM rocket-boosted guided bombs. | TWZ on Ukrainian Su-25s launching Hammer bombs; The Aviationist on Ukrainian Su-25s with AASM Hammer |
Timeline
Su-25 Key Events
Development work began
RIA reports that Sukhoi OKB work on the Su-25 attack aircraft began in 1968.
Sources: RIA Su-25 Specifications
T-8 prototype first flight
The first Su-25/T-8 prototype flew on February 22, 1975.
Sources: RIA Su-25 Specifications, Sukhoi Su-25 - Archived 3/2008
State tests and serial production phase
State testing began in 1978, and specialist reporting places the start of production in the same year.
Sources: RIA Su-25 Specifications, Sukhoi Su-25 - Archived 3/2008
Afghanistan combat testing
National Defence University of Ukraine states that Su-25 testing in Afghanistan ran from April 16 to June 5, 1980, with 100 test flights including 44 combat flights.
Sources: National Defence University of Ukraine Su-25
Operational service began
National Defence University of Ukraine states that Su-25 operation began in 1981 after production at Tbilisi.
Sources: National Defence University of Ukraine Su-25
Officially accepted into service
RIA reports official Soviet service acceptance by government decree on March 31, 1987, after serial production and Afghanistan service had already begun.
Sources: RIA Su-25 Specifications
Su-25KM Scorpion first flight
The Georgian/Israeli Su-25KM Scorpion modernization prototype first flew at Tbilisi on April 18, 2001.
Sources: National Defence University of Ukraine Su-25, Sukhoi Su-25 - Archived 3/2008
Ivorian Su-25s attacked Bouake
Ivorian government Su-25 operations around Bouake escalated into the French destruction of two Sukhoi 25 aircraft at Yamoussoukro.
Sources: Ivory Coast's Su-25s - The Sharks Won't Bite Again
Su-25SM3 modernization period
Russian reporting and reference sources place Su-25SM3 modernization activity from 2013, adding updated sighting/navigation, satellite navigation, and electronic-warfare systems.
Sources: RIA on Su-25SM3 modernization, GlobalSecurity Su-25SM3
UN panel documented Su-25s in Darfur
The UN Panel of Experts reported Sudanese Su-25 aircraft operating from El Fasher Forward Operating Base in Darfur.
Sources: UN Panel of Experts Darfur report S/2015/31
Russian sorties begin in Syria
Russian Su-25 aircraft joined the air campaign in Syria in support of the Syrian government.
Sources: The Russian Air Campaign in Syria, 2015 to 2018
Uses recorded in Nagorno-Karabakh
Azerbaijani and Armenian Su-25 use was documented during the 2020 fighting around Nagorno-Karabakh.
Sources: The two Su-25 attack aircraft of Armenia were shot down, Video footage reflecting airstrikes of the Su-25 attack aircraft
Full-scale Ukraine war begins
Ukraine continued to fly Su-25 sorties, while Russian Su-25SM/SM3 aircraft were used in low-altitude and standoff rocket attacks.
Sources: Ukrainian Su-25 Shoot-Down Seen in Harrowing Onboard Video, Russian Combat Air Strengths and Limitations
Ukrainian Su-25s adapted to HAMMER/AASM
Open reporting documented Ukrainian Su-25s launching French HAMMER/AASM rocket-boosted guided bombs.
Sources: TWZ on Ukrainian Su-25s launching Hammer bombs, The Aviationist on Ukrainian Su-25s with AASM Hammer
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
Sukhoi Su-25Publisher: Wikipedia | Note: Supports general system specifications and background. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Su-25 Attack AircraftPublisher: Airforce Technology | Note: Supports Sukhoi manufacturer background, variants, technical specifications, survivability features, and carried weapons including S-5 and S-8 rocket-pod options. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Sukhoi Su-25 FrogfootPublisher: AirVectors | Note: Supports 1979 Soviet-Afghan War direct use by Soviet Su-25 aircraft and 1990 Gulf War direct use by Iraqi Su-25 aircraft, including their ground-attack role, coalition destruction of aircraft on the ground, and flights to Iran. | Accessed: 2026-07-06What Happened to the Iraqi Air ForcePublisher: Air Force Historical Research Agency | Note: Supports 1990 Gulf War direct use: Iraqi Su-25 aircraft were among the fixed-wing aircraft shot down by USAF pilots during Operation Desert Storm, while Iraqi aircraft were also destroyed on the ground or flown to Iran. | Accessed: 2026-07-07Russian Combat Air Strengths and LimitationsPublisher: CNA | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use: Russian Su-25SM/SM3 aircraft conducted low-level close-air-support attempts and later standoff rocket-lobbing attacks in Ukraine. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Operational history of the Sukhoi Su-25Publisher: Wikipedia | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: Supports the Su-25's documented combat use in Afghanistan, Angola, Abkhazia, the 1990 Gulf War, the 1980 Iran-Iraq War, the Chechen wars, Eritrea-Ethiopia, Macedonia, Ivory Coast, Darfur, Georgia, Iraq, Syria, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ukraine. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Ivory Coast's Su-25s - The Sharks Won't Bite AgainPublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports 2002 First Ivorian Civil War direct use: Ivorian Su-25 aircraft flew attacks in November 2004 and were subsequently neutralized at Yamoussoukro. | Accessed: 2026-07-06UN Panel of Experts Darfur report S/2015/31Publisher: United Nations Security Council | Note: Supports 2003 War in Darfur direct use: UN panel reporting documented Sudanese Su-25 ground-attack aircraft deployed at El Fasher and almost certainly used in Darfur attack/close-air-support roles. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Ukrainian Su-25 Shoot-Down Seen in Harrowing Onboard VideoPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use: Su-25 close air support aircraft used by the Ukrainian Air Force. | Accessed: 2026-07-06The Russian Air Campaign in Syria, 2015 to 2018Publisher: RAND Corporation | Note: Supports 2011 Syrian Civil War direct use: Su-25 aircraft used by Russian forces in a close-air-support role for the Syrian government offensive. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Iraq's An-32 Cargo Planes Turned Bombers Flew Nearly Twice As Many Strikes As its F-16sPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: Supports Iraq anti-ISIS strike use and the 2013 War in Iraq direct conflict-use context for Su-25 sorties against Islamic State forces. | Accessed: 2026-07-06The two Su-25 attack aircraft of Armenia were shot downPublisher: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan | Note: Supports 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict direct use: Su-25 aircraft fielded by Armenian forces and reportedly used by them to attempt airstrikes on Azerbaijani positions. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Video footage reflecting airstrikes of the Su-25 attack aircraftPublisher: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan | Note: Supports 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict direct use: Su-25 aircraft used by Azerbaijani forces for airstrikes during the 2020 war. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Commons Su-25 of Ukrainian Air ForcePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and CC BY-SA 4.0 licensing for the primary Su-25 image. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Commons Su-25 Ukraine Air Force AN1811989Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and free-license/VRT context for the second Su-25 gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Commons Ukrainian Su-25Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and CC BY 4.0 licensing for the third Su-25 gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-06TWZ on Ukrainian Su-25s launching Hammer bombsPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use: Ukrainian Su-25 aircraft launching HAMMER/AASM guided bombs. | Accessed: 2026-07-06The Aviationist on Ukrainian Su-25s with AASM HammerPublisher: The Aviationist | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use: Ukrainian Su-25 aircraft launching HAMMER/AASM guided bombs. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Russian Airpower in the Second Chechen WarPublisher: U.S. Army Command and General Staff College | Note: Supports 1994 First Chechen War and 1999 Second Chechen War direct use: Russian Su-25 aircraft were used by Russian forces for strike and close-air-support missions in Chechnya. | Accessed: 2026-07-06The Russian Su-25 Frogfoot Terrorizes its Targets from AbovePublisher: The National Interest | Note: Supports 1994 First Chechen War and 1999 Second Chechen War direct use: Russian Su-25 aircraft were used by Russian forces for strike sorties, including attacks around Grozny and later Chechen-war operations. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Tankovy Busters: Su-25TK Attack Aircraft In Ethiopian ServicePublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports 1998 Eritrean-Ethiopian War direct use: Ethiopian Su-25TK attack aircraft were used by Ethiopia during the Eritrean-Ethiopian War period as ground-attack aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-06North Macedonia Donates 4 Su-25 Jets to UkrainePublisher: Defense Mirror | Note: Supports 2001 Insurgency in Macedonia direct use context: North Macedonia bought four Su-25 aircraft from Ukraine during the armed conflict with Albanian rebels. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Prosecutor v. Boskoski and Tarculovski Trial JudgementPublisher: International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia | Note: Supports 2001 Insurgency in Macedonia direct use: Macedonian Su-25 aircraft flew reconnaissance and air-support missions during the fighting. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Russia Equipment Losses During the 2008 Russo-Georgian WarPublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports 2008 Russo-Georgian War direct use context through documented Russian Su-25 losses in the conflict. | Accessed: 2026-07-06RIA Su-25 SpecificationsPublisher: RIA Novosti | Note: Supports Su-25 development chronology, first flight, state tests, official service acceptance, baseline dimensions, weights, range, ceiling, hardpoints, and variant list. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Victory Museum Su-25Publisher: Victory Museum | Note: Supports baseline Su-25 specifications, R-195 engine listing, speed, ceiling, range, weapons, and maximum combat load. | Accessed: 2026-07-06SKYbrary SUKHOI Su-25Publisher: SKYbrary Aviation Safety | Note: Supports aircraft identity, Sukhoi manufacturer attribution, close-support and ground-attack role, titanium cockpit armor, aircraft configuration, and variant overview. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Sukhoi Su-25 - Archived 3/2008Publisher: Forecast International | Note: Specialist archived report supporting production/manufacturer history, more than 1,200 produced, Tbilisi and Ulan-Ude contractor roles, variant distinctions, survivability design, and program timeline. | Accessed: 2026-07-06National Defence University of Ukraine Su-25Publisher: National Defence University of Ukraine | Note: Supports Afghanistan test chronology, Tbilisi production, operation beginning in 1981, and detailed variant descriptions including Su-25K, Su-25M1, Su-25UB, Su-25T, Su-25KM, and Su-25SM3. | Accessed: 2026-07-06RIA on Su-25SM3 modernizationPublisher: RIA Novosti | Note: Supports Rostec statements that Su-25SM3 modernization installs new sighting/navigation equipment, optical-laser thermal/television sighting equipment, satellite navigation, and electronic-warfare systems. | Accessed: 2026-07-06TASS on Rostec Su-25 modernizationPublisher: TASS | Note: Supports Russian industry statements on Su-25SM3 precision-weapon capability, planned improvements based on Ukraine war experience, common Russian variants, and listed armament categories. | Accessed: 2026-07-06GlobalSecurity Su-25SM3Publisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports Su-25SM3 modernization details including Vitebsk-25, GLONASS, SVP-24-25, SOLT-25, guided weapons, and 2013-2014 development context. | Accessed: 2026-07-06What is the Su-25 aircraft?Publisher: BFBS Forces News | Note: Supports Su-25 weapons-carriage context including S-5/S-8 rocket pods and R-60/AA-8 air-to-air missile carriage. | Accessed: 2026-07-06