picture 182374

The Su-25 was still in the process of research and development when the USSR launched its military intervention in Afghanistan. The working up of the series production and application of different modifications on the basis of operational testing in the country resulted in a situation where the first regiment completely equipped with the type only came into being in 1985, in the form of the 378th Separate Assault Aviation Regiment. Proving a massive success, the Su-25 was soon much in demand, but the majority of newly-manufactured aircraft were necessary to bolster V-VS units in Eastern Europe. Thus, even two years later – by when the 378th was reorganised and its aircraft received bort numbers applied in red, outlined in black, as shown here – there were only enough Su-25s available for one regiment in Afghanistan. All Soviet Su-25s had already received their camouflage painting at the factory in Tbilisi, which developed some five or six different versions, some of which consisted of only two, but others up to four, different colours. (Artwork by Rolando Ugolini)