A video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense shows that after two Su-25 attack aircraft attacked Ukrainian positions at low altitude, one of the Su-25 was attacked by two man-portable air defense missiles, but fortunately, the Su-25 attack plane was not hit, and two man-portable air defense missiles passed the Su-25 at close range, and one of the missiles was probably only a few tens of centimeters away but did not explode.
Most man-portable air defense missiles use laser proximity fuzes, which are extremely sensitive. Some analysts believe that in view of the unfavorable war of the Russian army in the Kharkiv region, the Russian Ministry of Defense released this video to likely inspire the military, and does not rule out the possibility of self-directed and self-acting, dismantling the fuses of these two missiles.
The Russian and Ukrainian armies are still using the Su-25 attack aircraft in large numbers. This low-altitude attack aircraft has powerful firepower, strong armor and good maneuverability. It can not only deal with ground targets but is also effective against enemy helicopters.
Промах двох ракет ПЗРК по російському штурмовику Су-25. pic.twitter.com/81PCZNpC21
— Ridnа_Vilnа 🇺🇦 #Rescue_Azovstal_Defenders (@ua_ridna_vilna) September 11, 2022
However, due to the threat of the opponent’s air defense system, they only dared to operate at low altitudes. However, as the Ukrainian Air Force’s Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter jets launched “HARM” anti-radiation missiles to suppress the Russian air defense network, the Ukrainian Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter jets suppressed the Russian air defense network. Of course, the Russian military’s Su-25 also has the advantage of installing a more advanced airborne self-defense system that can better interfere with man-portable air defense missiles launched by the enemy.
The Su-25 attack aircraft of the Russian and Ukrainian armies mainly use a variety of air-launched rockets, including 80mm, 122mm and even 240mm calibers. After a long-distance salvo fire on the target, they can go away with one blow. The smaller caliber 57mm rocket was used as early as during the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan, the rocket was proved to be unsuitable for actual needs. As for machine guns and aerial bombs, they are rarely used. The opponent’s air defense system is too threatening. To use these weapons, they must be closer to the target, and but then the risk factor will also increase.
Photos released by the Ukrainian Air Force show that the Ukrainian Su-25 attack aircraft also used some precision-guided weapons, such as the KH-25ML laser semi-actively guided air-to-ground missiles. of. The KH-25 series is similar to the U.S. military’s AGM-65 “Maverick”. It can install a variety of seekers, and even has a anti-radiation version with a maximum range of 10 kilometers and a warhead weight of 110 kilograms, equivalent to one 203mm shell.
The KH-25ML laser semi-active guided air-to-ground missile can be guided either by the nose laser irradiation machine that comes with the Su-25 attack aircraft, or by the ground personnel using a portable laser irradiation machine. Don’t underestimate its range of only 10 kilometers. You must know that even a 240mm rocket has a maximum range of only 2-3 kilometers. This range is enough to ensure that the Su-25 can attack targets at a safer distance, especially those targets protected by a short-range air defense system.
The fighter planes of the Russian and Ukrainian armies are basically active on the front line, and neither is able to break through the air defense network of the other side to strike deep targets. Of course, with the arrival of the “HARM” missile, the Ukrainian army has gained a certain advantage in this regard. The Russian military can launch continuous “long-range precision strikes” in deep areas of Ukraine, continuously launching cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles.