The Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot, Russia’s rugged answer to the U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt II, has emerged as a notable yet controversial presence in contemporary combat zones.

With the recent intensification of the conflict in Ukraine, the Su-25 has been thrust into the limelight, suffering significant losses.

Dubbed “Frogfoot” by NATO, the Su-25 made its inaugural flight in 1975 and entered service six years later, quickly proving its mettle in the Soviet-Afghan War.

Despite its impressive record, the aircraft’s limitations have become apparent. Compared to the robust A-10, affectionately known as the “Warthog,” the Su-25 has a reduced range and loiter time, operates at lower altitudes, and carries a lighter load of munitions.

The Frogfoot’s susceptibility to shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) has also been highlighted, particularly in the current Ukrainian conflict.

Designed for close air support (CAS) missions, the Su-25 was constructed with a heavily armored airframe and a titanium cockpit enclosure, offering the pilot additional protection.

Armed with a twin-barrel 30mm gun and capable of carrying a varied arsenal of air-to-ground ordnance, the Su-25 has fulfilled diverse roles on the battlefield.

Despite this, it has not achieved the same level of recognition for tank kills or air-to-air victories as the A-10.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, open-source military intelligence has recorded the losses of dozens of Su-25s.

A significant instance occurred in October 2023, with three aircraft downed in a single week and a fourth destroyed by a shoulder-mounted rocket near Donetsk.

Reflecting on the Su-25’s engagement in the conflict, Andriy Demchenko, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service, recounted, “Our MANPAD operators spotted the target. According to tentative reports, it was a Russian Su-25 attack aircraft. The MANPADS rocket hit the target, after which the plane was seen descending with a smoke trail before it vanished beyond the horizon line.”

Despite its difficulties, Russia continues to deploy the Su-25. The Kremlin shows no inclination to retire the Frogfoot, investing in upgraded versions like the Su-25SM3. This commitment to the Grach, as it’s known in Russia, contrasts sharply with the U.S. Air Force’s ongoing debate over the A-10’s future.

As the Su-25 persists in global conflict zones, its performance and viability will continue to be scrutinized, especially in comparison to its American counterpart.

While the Frogfoot’s operational ceiling may not match that of the Warthog, its enduring presence in the Russian military and export success underscore its significance in the realm of CAS aircraft.

However, the vulnerability observed in the Ukraine conflict suggests that, like the A-10, the time may come for the Su-25 to yield to the next generation of military aviation technology.

Relevant articles:
– Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot: Russia’s Powerhouse Answer to the A-10 Warthog, nationalinterest.org
– Sukhoi Su-25 ‘Frogfoot’: Russia’s ‘Version’ of the A-10 Is a Flying Tank, The National Interest