A Look At Russia's Version Of The A-10

Su-25 Frogfoot

Dave Majumdar, National Interest: Russia Has Its Own 'A-10' Warthog in Syria: Enter the Su-25 Frogfoot

While top-of-the-line Sukhoi Su-30SM Flanker-H fighters and Su-34 Fullback bombers have captured the lion’s share of attention, the single most effective Russian aircraft deployed to Syria is the venerable Su-25 Frogfoot. The Russian air force has deployed a dozen of the slow, low-altitude flying tanks to its base in Latakia. But it’s not clear which version of the jet Russia has sent to Syria, however it’s probable that these are the latest Su-25SM version of the aircraft.

“The Russian air force will use the Frogfoots to support the Assad regime in the same way the USAF is using the A-10 Warthog to support the Iraqi government,” one veteran U.S. Air Force aviator told me. Another senior Air Force official agreed. “Frogfoots are the best air-to-ground platform for this type of fight for sure.”

WNU editor: There are only a dozen of these planes in Syria .... so I doubt that they can have a significant  impact. in the short term .... but I suspect that in certain key ground battles and/or in concentrated operations .... they will shift the battle in favour of the Syrian regime.