Sukhoi Su-25

The Sukhoi Su-25, called Grach (rook) in Russian and Frogfoot by NATO, is a subsonic, single-seat, twin-engine jet built to give Soviet ground forces close air support. Sukhoi's design bureau began preliminary work after the Ministry of Defence decided in 1968 that the fighter-bombers then in service lacked the armour and low-speed handling needed over the battlefield. The first prototype flew on 22 February 1975 and series production began in 1978 at Tbilisi in Soviet Georgia, where 582 single-seat aircraft were built between 1978 and 1989, beside 180 Su-25K export aircraft. Two-seat trainer, anti-tank and carrier-training versions followed. It has flown in combat from the Soviet war in Afghanistan to later conflicts and remains in service with Russia and several export operators.