One of the most tried and trusted Soviet-era fighter jets is the Su-25. Unlike some of its counterparts, the “Frogfoot” has served in numerous Soviet and Russian war zones over its four-plus decades in service. The single-seat, twin-engine jet was designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau during the Cold War in order to challenge the American-made A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthog” airframe.

Introducing the NATO-designated “Frogfoot”

Prior to the production of the Su-25, Soviet pilots were flying fighter-bombers that did not fulfill the country’s requirement for close air support of the army. While the Su-7, Su-17, and MiG-21 were solid platforms, they lacked certain protective measures that better-protected pilots and the airframe from ground fire and missile hits. To rectify these shortcomings, the USSR tasked leading manufacturers to compete to create a new battlefield close-support aircraft. Ultimately Sukhoi’s T-8 design was awarded as the winner of the........

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