Su-25 The Russian Warthog

Описание: Conceived during the Cold War as the Soviet answer to the A-10 Warthog, the SU-25 “Frogfoot” was purpose-built for close air support and battlefield strike operations. First flown in 1975 and introduced in the early 1980s, the SU-25 was developed to address the same tactical challenges the Americans faced in Vietnam—providing survivable, effective air support to ground troops in hostile environments.

This episode charts the Frogfoot’s origins, from the T-8 design concept and competition with the Ilyushin IL-102, to its rugged features and operational deployment. Comparisons with the A-10 highlight key differences in speed, loiter time, survivability, and combat doctrine.

Key topics covered:
• The SU-25’s Cold War development and similarities to the A-10
• Modular construction, armour, and survivability design
• Combat history in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Georgia, Iraq, Syria, and the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War
• Tactical adaptations in various conflicts, including precision strike and low-level CAS roles
• The aircraft’s role in both Russian and Ukrainian operations today
• Uncertainty over its future and lack of a clear replacement

Used by over 20 nations and flown in conflicts across four decades, the SU-25 remains one of the most widely deployed battlefield aircraft of the jet age. Despite aging systems and limited range, it continues to play a vital role in modern combat—especially in the high-threat, low-altitude environments of contemporary warzones.

CONTENTS
00:00 Intro
01:19 Background
03:22 Frogfoot vs Warthog
05:33 Combat Record
09:20 Modern Usage
10:32 Performance
11:09 The Future of the Frogfoot

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