The Su-25 ground-attack aircraft is not the most widely used combat aircraft of the Russian Air Force – according to various expert estimates, between 1980 and 1992 the Tbilisi aviation plant produced about 1,300 aircraft of all modifications. In terms of its significance on the line of contact and its effectiveness in supporting troops, however, the Su-25 is an indispensable strike aircraft for front-line aviation. The attack aircraft has been involved in all conflicts where the Soviet or Russian armies were involved – from Afghanistan to Ukraine.
The aircraft has not been produced for more than 30 years, but it is still in service, undergoes upgrading, is equipped with modern navigation, guidance, electronic warfare and armament. The plane is in demand, but there is no replacement for it in the development of aviation design bureaus, although as an alternative to the Su-25 the Su-34 or the Yak-130 have been considered. To make up for the retired machines it is necessary to resume their serial production. This initiative has been taken by Belarus – Dmitry Krutoy, Ambassador of Belarus to Russia, spoke about the prospects of Su-25 final assembly at one of the aircraft plants of the republic. This is reported by TV chanal Belarus-1.
“The first tactical task is to load our plants with this component base by 2030 in those areas that exist. Then the Prime Minister ordered to actively involve not only our two specialized enterprises, but also Integral and Horizont. They will have to find their niche in the sphere of avionics, microchips, and liquid crystal panels. They are also actively doing it now,” noted the ambassador.
According to him, the third most difficult task is to create the final assembly of any aircraft in Belarus. “As of today, the Su-25 is in the works. The relevant documentation is being studied now, being handed over by the Russian side. But the prime minister [Roman Golovchenko – ruavia.su] has even set a tougher task: from assembling aircraft engines – and out to the final assembly of the aircraft. This, of course, is a super task, a maximum task,” said Dmitry Krutoy.
According to his information, in the near future Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and his team will visit Belarus. “I think this topic will be discussed at the government level. It will be a real breakthrough. And Belarus will move to a completely different level in aircraft building in the coming years,” Dmitry Krutoy emphasized.
