The Sukhoi Su-25 'Frogfoot' is considered to be the Soviet equivalent of the US A-10 fulfilling a similar requirement for a battlefield close support aircraft and intended to be a modern version of the legendary Il-2 Shturmovik of World War II vintage. Key design features are shoulder-mounted wings, widely separated steel engine bays, the ability to use either kerosene, diesel or petrol for fuel, and an a titanium-armored cockpit giving it a large degree of survivability against enemy fire, essential for low-altitude operations. Although the original requirement was for a Mach 1 aircraft, this proved impossible but despite its sub-sonic speed, the Su-25 is far more agile and fast than its US rival although at the cost of reduced range and payload. It also lacks the tank-killing power of the A-10's Avenger rotary cannon, although 30-mm GSh-30-2 can still pack a powerful punch. The Su-25 was optimized for action against NATO in Central Europe, however, the Afghanistan War gave it its first taste of combat where it proved to be an extremely capable aircraft, quite difficult to bring down even with repeated shell and bullet hits. It has also seen combat in Russian hands during the two Chechen Wars, the Russia-Georgia War as well as in Syria. Export customers of the Su-25 include Angola, Iraq, Iran and North Korea as well as various Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet successor states. It was used extensively during the Iran-Iraq War as well as the conflict in Ukraine.

First flight of the Su-25 took place on 22 February 1975, and the initial model to enter service is known as the Su-25 'Frogfoot-A' which was later exported as the Su-25K with somewhat downgraded avionics. These constituted the bulk of production versions, with the remainder being mostly two-seat combat-capable trainers. These began with the Su-25UB 'Frogfoot-B' (Su-25UBK for export) whereas an unarmed trainer is known as the Su-25UT (or Su-28). A later version with reconnaissance and target designation capability is known as the Su-25UBM, while a carrier take-off and landing trainer is known as the Su-25UTG. A target-towing version is the Su-25BM. Plans for a dedicated anti-tank variant resulted in the Su-25T 'Frogfoot-C', based on the Su-25UB but with the rear cockpit converted into an avionics bay for all-weather and night attack capability. It could also carry Vikhr anti-tank missiles which are usually carried by helicopters, as well as TV- and laser-guided bombs. This was followed by the Su-25TM (marketed as the Su-39), which added automatic weapons release, ECM pods, and a new nav/attack system. However, the dissolution of the USSR curtailed production and it never entered service (although a handful of Su-25Ts did). A more affordable upgrade to existing single-seaters resulted in the Su-25SM with new avionics, a modern cockpit with a HUD, and GLONASS receivers. Conversions are ongoing.