The Sukhoi Su-25 (NATO reporting name: "Frogfoot") is a single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. It was designed to provide close air support for the Soviet Ground Forces. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 22 February 1975. After testing, the aircraft went into series production in 1978 at Tbilisi in the Soviet Republic of Georgia. Russian air and ground forces nicknamed it "Grach" ("Rook").

Early variants included the Su-25UB two-seat trainer, the Su-25BM for target-towing, and the Su-25K for export customers. Some aircraft are being upgraded to version Su-25SM as of 2012. The Su-25T and the Su-25TM (also known as Su-39) were further developments, not produced in numbers. The Su-25, along with the Su-34, were the only armoured fixed-wing aircraft in production in 2007. Su-25 is in service with Russia, other CIS states, and export customers.

The Su-25 has seen combat in several conflicts during its more than 25 years in service. It was heavily involved in the Soviet war in Afghanistan, flying counter-insurgency missions against the Mujahideen. The Iraqi Air Force employed Su-25s against Iran during the 198089 IranIraq War. Most were later destroyed or fled to Iran in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Abkhazian separatists used Su-25s in 1993 against Georgians during the Abkhazian War. The Macedonian Air Force used Su-25s against Albanian insurgents in the 2001 Macedonia conflict and, in 2008, Georgia and Russia both used Su-25s in the Russo-Georgian War. African states, including the Ivory Coast, Chad, and Sudan have used the Su-25 in local insurgencies and civil wars.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Soviet Sukhoi Su-25K "Frogfoot" ground attack aircraft that was piloted by Lt. Colonel Alexander Rutskoy, who was attached to the 40th Army, then deployed to Afghanistan, on August 4th, 1988. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 8-1/2-inches
Length: 7-3/4-inches

Release Date: November 2022

Historical Account: "Search and Destroyed" - A typical mission for the Su-25 in Afghanistan was the free-hunting (search-and-destroy or armed reconnaissance-strike) patrol, aimed at knocking out moving targets of opportunity in predetermined areas - usually Mujahedeen re-supply convoys. Su-25 pairs or four-aircraft flights involved in such missions usually flew at altitudes of between 1,970 ft and 3,940 ft while undertaking visual searches for enemy vehicles.

It was during one of these missions that 378th OShAP (a newer attack regiment established on November 5th, 1984) that the regimental CO himself, Lt Col Alexander Rutskoy, was shot down. On April 6th, 1986, during a low-level attack against the well-defended Zhawar Mujahedeen re-supply complex by a formation of four Su-25s, Rutskoy's aircraft was gunned down during his second attack pass by the combined fire of a shoulder-launched missile (possibly a General Dynamics FIM-43 Redeye or Strela-2M) and AAA. Rutskoy, who flew a camera-equipped Su-25 for post-strike reconnaissance, ejected at an altitude of 820 ft at a high angle of bank. As a result of the latter, he sustained serious back injuries and a broken arm upon landing.

Following a prolonged recovery period after being shot down, Alexander Rutskoy returned to Afghanistan in April 1988, having now been promoted to the rank of colonel and appointed Deputy CO (Aviation) of the 40th Army. Despite the seniority of his position, Rutskoy continued flying and fighting the Mujahedeen in the same reckless style as he had done in 1986. In fact, his fellow Su-25 pilots claimed that he now seemed to be even more aggressive in his pursuit of the enemy, apparently seeking revenge for his downing. He was also looking forward to receiving more combat awards.