In March 1981, the newest attack aircraft Su-25, also known by the nickname "Rook", was adopted by the USSR Air Force. By this time, the prototypes had managed to show their full potential both at the training grounds and in the conditions of a real armed conflict. Despite their considerable age, the Rooks remain part of the Russian aerospace forces and are undergoing modernization. Thanks to this, the Aerospace Forces can retain the necessary strike capabilities, and the Su-25 gets the opportunity to serve for several more decades.
Soviet past
Serial production of Su-25 attack aircraft began to be mastered in the late seventies, and in the early eighties the first samples were handed over to the customer. Already in 1980, the Air Force received the first 10 aircraft, and in 1981 - 13 more. However, the pace of production did not suit the customer, and he demanded more new equipment.
On February 29, 1980, an order was issued to form the first unit equipped with Su-25 aircraft. It was the 80th separate assault air regiment (80th oshap) as part of the Transcaucasian military district. The base is the Sital-Chay airfield near Sumgait. For a number of reasons, the unit received new equipment only a year after its formation.
In 1983, the second unit on the Su-25 appeared in the Odessa Military District. The 90th Fighter Regiment (Chervonoglinskoye airfield) was reorganized into the 90th Oshap. For some time, the regiment operated the old Su-15 and the new Su-25. The following year, the formation of the 357th oshap (Pruzhany-Zapadnye) began in the Belarusian Military District. In the fall of 1985, the regiment was transferred to the GDR, it became the first unit on the Su-25 as part of the GSVG.
The process of forming new assault regiments continued until the second half of the eighties. First, units appeared as part of the Air Force, then the Rooks received naval aviation. The pilots of the Black Sea Fleet were the first to master the new equipment, and after them similar units appeared in the Northern and Pacific Fleets.
In the period from 1981 to 1991, new attack aircraft replenished the vehicle fleet of 23 units, organizations and divisions, incl. 15 combat shots. 13 regiments were part of the Air Force, three more - in the naval aviation. The bulk of the regiments were stationed in the western regions of the country. Three regiments served in the GSVG. The eastern borders were covered only by the 187th oshap.
In addition, the "Rooks" were at the State Research Institute of the Air Force, instructor and instructor-research regiments and squadrons of the Air Force and the Navy. As part of the 40th Army, which worked in Afghanistan, since 1981, there was the 200th separate assault squadron. Subsequently, the presence of attack aircraft was increased, forming the 378th oshap - he replaced the 200th squadron.
Russian present
The collapse of the USSR hit the entire army, incl. and on the Su-25 attack aircraft. Several assault air regiments remained on the territory of independent states; parts of the GSVG departed to Russia. A significant part of the created Rooks park went to the air forces of the new countries, but the Russian army remained the largest operator of such equipment. However, the full-fledged operation of the aircraft was not possible for economic reasons.
Against the background of these events, attack aircraft again had to take part in armed conflicts. Su-25s were used during two wars in Chechnya and when forcing Georgia to peace. In these operations, 13 aircraft were lost, and 4 more had to be written off due to damage.
Despite all the problems of the nineties, the Air Force was able to retain the existing equipment and personnel. Naval aviation, in turn, abandoned the Su-25 and handed over the equipment to the Air Force. Subsequently, structural transformations began, as a result of which the modern appearance of the Russian Aerospace Forces attack aircraft took shape. In parallel, work was carried out to maintain the condition and modernize the existing equipment.
According to known data, now in our VKS there are about 190-200 Su-25 aircraft of several basic modifications, incl. the newest. The four military districts have 5 assault regiments and 3 squadrons on the Rooks.
Unlike the Soviet period, the units are evenly distributed in all main directions - from Crimea to the Far East, from Severomorsk to Budennovsk. Almost all of them are based on the territory of Russia, the only exception is a squadron of attack aircraft at the Kant base in Kyrgyzstan.
From the present to the future
Since the nineties, the Sukhoi company has completed several modernization projects for the Su-25 with various innovations that ensure the growth of certain characteristics. Some of them entered service and reached serial production. To date, due to this, it has been possible to carry out the most serious renewal of the fleet of equipment.
According to open data, to date, less than 40 basic modification Su-25 aircraft remain in the Russian Aerospace Forces. There are also less than 20 training Su-25UB and Su-25UTG. The number of equipment of obsolete types has been drastically reduced due to repairs and upgrades in accordance with modern projects. Over the past several years, the Rooks have been rebuilt according to the Su-25SM and Su-25SM3 projects. The total number of such aircraft is approaching 140-150 units. At the same time, the number of vehicles of the "CM3" version does not yet exceed 20-25 units.
Both projects with the letters "SM" provide for a significant restructuring of the on-board complex of radio electronic equipment with the receipt of fundamentally new functions and capabilities. A new sighting and navigation equipment is being installed: in particular, modern satellite navigation is being introduced, and the old sight is being replaced by a full-fledged indicator on the windshield. The main innovation of the "CM3" project is the SVP-24-25 "Gefest" armament control subsystem. With its help, the attack aircraft can use unguided weapons with increased accuracy.
The process of restoring and updating the technique continues and gives the desired results. The modernization carried out has already repeatedly confirmed its potential, incl. in a real conflict. Since 2015, "Rooks" of all major modifications are regularly involved in combat operations in Syria. Their forces destroyed large quantities of enemy personnel and facilities. Only one plane is lost; the pilot ejected, but died in battle with the enemy on the ground.
Expected future
Considering the events of recent years and the trends observed, one can imagine what the future holds for the Russian attack aircraft. It is obvious that the Su-25 will retain its current role for the foreseeable future. There is no replacement for the Rooks yet and may not even be planned.
The total number of equipment and parts using it must remain the same. The resumption of production is not planned - only the existing aircraft will be repaired, updated and returned to service. In this case, we are talking about both restoring technical readiness and extending the resource, as well as obtaining new combat capabilities. However, there is a risk of a gradual reduction in the number of vehicles. Unfortunately, the training process and combat work are associated with certain risks and possible losses cannot be ruled out.
Thus, the situation in the field of assault aviation in our aerospace forces is conducive to optimism. There are sufficient numbers of specialized aircraft; their maintenance is carried out in a timely manner and a full-scale modernization is underway. All this allows you to keep the Su-25 in service and get all the associated benefits. The Rooks' fourth decade of service is coming to an end, and it will clearly not be the last.
