Aerofax: Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot

Over the years, the Aerofax imprint of Midland Publishing has become synonymous with the best in contemporary aviation publishing. The Aerofax name on a book confirms that it will deliver detailed and thorough research and a wide range of illustrations providing the in-depth information which all serious aviation historians and modellers demand. The latest title under the Aerofax imprint deals with the history and operations of the Soviet/Russian Su-25, known in the West by its NATO codename, 'Frogfoot'.

When the USA launched a new battlefield attack aircraft programme which eventually led to the development of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the Soviet Union saw the need to create an equivalent. The Soviet aircraft industry had considerable experience in attack aircraft design to fall back on, dating back to that most famous of these types, the Ilyushin IL-2 Shturmovik of the World War 2 era. When a contest was called to produce a latter-day shturmovik, the Sukhoi Design Bureau emerged as the winner with its T-8 project, beating off competition from the Ilyushin and Myasiishchev bureaux. After a series of design changes the aircraft entered production and service as the Su-25.

The book describes the Su-25s development history and its extensive combat career, starting with Operation Romb, when the then-experimental Su-25 received its baptism of fire in the Afghan War, to the conflicts in former Yugoslavia and the drug-busting operations in Peru. The types Afghan War involvement receives extensive coverage, as does the Su-25s use in the Chechen Wars. A detailed list is given of the types many operators, which even included a NATO country (Slovakia). In addition to the main versions up to and including the Su-25TM (Su-39) tank killer, due attention is paid to the latest programmes to upgrade the Su-25 in line with modern requirements both in Russia and elsewhere. The book includes colour artwork and detailed scale drawings in the usual Aerofax style.

Having an extensive combat history, the Su-25 is one of the most well-known and popular Russian types with enthusiasts and this new addition to the highly successful Aerofax series will be eagerly sought after by all those requiring an up-to-date and authoritative guide to the aircraft. It will be of particular interest to aviation historians and modellers.