Tomislav Mesarić examines the capabilities of the Su-25SM3, which represents the most advanced Frogfoot in Russian service.
IN EARLY JANUARY 2017 a poor quality photograph of an Ilyushin Il-76 transport leading four Su-25s appeared on social media, accompanied by speculation that they were on their way to Hmeymim air base in Syria. A few days later, Russian Ministry of Defence spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov confirmed the rumour, emphasising that the aircraft were part of a planned rotation in the war zone, not reinforcements. Indeed, a similar number of Su-24M bombers subsequently withdrew from Hmeymim.