Su-25 The Russian Warthog

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 Please consider supporting this channel by subscribing at our Substack https://militaryaviationvideos.substa... - here you will get full transcripts and discussion for subscribers. We are also affiliates with Airfix Models - please use our link https://prf.hn/l/meNMQn5 ____________ Disclaimer ____________ Original footage and recreated scenes may not be 100% accurate to the event being described but has been used for dramatic effect. This is because there may not have been original footage of a particular event available, or copyright prevents us from showing it. Our aim is to be as historically true as we can be given the materials available. Copyright disclaimer under fair dealing sections ss 40/103C, ss 41/103A,ss 42/103B of the Copyright Act which includes research, study, criticism, review, and reporting of news. Copyright remains with the respective owners. These videos are made for educational purposes only. The Australian Military Aviation History Association is a not-for-profit association with the intent of recording, preserving and promoting Australian military aviation history.