Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot: Close Air Support Aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot is one of the world's most effective close air support aircraft and is the only true armored attack aircraft still in production. The State trials of the aircraft were completed in December 1980 and it became operational in the following year. During the production run a number of improvements were incorporated, derived from experience gained during operations in the Russian campaign against Afghanistan. Throughout the entire Afghan campaign, Su-25s launched a total of 139 guided missiles of all types against Mujahideen positions. On average each aircraft performed 360 sorties per year, which was considerably higher than any other combat type in Afghanistan. By the end of the war, the number of Su-25s deployed to Afghanistan had reached around 50 and they had carried out a total of 60,000 sorties.