[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense video] What is the Combat Capability of the Russian Su-25 Introduced by North Korea?

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The Su-25 is the Soviet Union's first close air support aircraft developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, known as a rival to the American tank killer A-10 Thunderbolt. Like the A-10 attack aircraft, it is characterized by reinforcing the cockpit with 24mm thick titanium alloy armor to enhance pilot survivability.

The Su-25 attack aircraft is equipped with two Tumansky R-195 turbojet engines and can fly at a maximum speed of Mach 0.8. It is armed with one GSh-6-N-30 rotary twin-barrel cannon and carries various weapons on 10 hardpoints under the wings. For air-to-air armament, it carries R-60 short-range air-to-air missiles, and it can also carry AS-7/9/11 air-to-ground missiles, FAB-250/500 bombs, and rockets capable of attacking enemy tanks and military facilities, with a maximum payload of 4.4 tons (t).

North Korea introduced about 30 Su-25s in the 1980s, becoming the first Asian country to do so. They are reportedly deployed at bases such as Suncheon Air Force Base. On April 14, North Korea reportedly conducted live fire training with air-to-ground rockets using several Su-25s in the Wonsan area of Gangwon Province, alongside a cruise missile launch.