Russia adopted a program to upgrade part of its aging Su-25 fleet in 1999. The first six modernized jets were handed over Thursday by the Sukhoi aircraft holding to Air Force officials during a ceremony at an aircraft repair plant in the Moscow Region.
"As a result of a substantial upgrade, we have received a fourth-generation plane, the Su-25SM, which can accomplish three times as many tasks as its predecessor - the Su-25," Army General Vladimir Mikhailov said, adding that the upgraded plane could still serve in the Air Force for more than 30 years.
The Su-25SM, a single-seat armored subsonic attack plane with a maximum takeoff weight of 19.3 metric tons and a maximum speed of 950 kilometers (590 miles) an hour, features the Panther fire-control system with the Kopyo-25 radar in a rebuilt nose. It also has a redesigned cockpit with a new HUD and two large color LCD monitors.
It can carry more than 4,000 kilograms (8,800 pounds) of weaponry, including R-73M2 (AA-11 Archer) short-range air-to-air missiles and can provide close infantry support in any weather or time of day.
Mikhailov said another six aircraft will be modernized next year, and the Russian Air Force will equip two air regiments with Su-25SM planes in the future.
