What purpose did the su25 frogfoot achieved in soviet military doctrine ?
Esp given their biggest rival was NATO whose armies were well equipped with MANPADS and SAMs , these defenses would have mauled them.
Maybe against China the su25 might be useful
However 1000 or so of these planes was just wasteful something a poor state like ussr can illafford in 80s
Afghanistan conflict was just an unexpected side show but other than that there was no real need for a dedicated fixed wing COIN aircraft
wouldn’t it be better to use these resources elsewhere? Even if it’s in R&D of new and better missiles
Esp given their biggest rival was NATO whose armies were well equipped with MANPADS and SAMs , these defenses would have mauled them.
Maybe against China the su25 might be useful
However 1000 or so of these planes was just wasteful something a poor state like ussr can illafford in 80s
Afghanistan conflict was just an unexpected side show but other than that there was no real need for a dedicated fixed wing COIN aircraft
wouldn’t it be better to use these resources elsewhere? Even if it’s in R&D of new and better missiles
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