Frogfoots Rushed to Iraq to Combat ISIS

摘要

Iraq has taken delivery of Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot aircraft to help it stem rapid advances made during June by Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIS) insurgents. Russian sources reported on July 2 that five disassembled Su-25s had been flown into Baghdad the day before on board an Antonov An-124-100. The aircraft had previously been in Russian service and were not overhauled before delivery; they retained the dark green upper surfaces and grey undersides applied to many Russian Air Force Su-25s, but with bort numbers painted out. The total order, for 12 Su-25s, is said to be worth up to $500 million. Russian technicians will assemble the Su-25s, which Baghdad says will be flown by Iraqi pilots. While the Iraqi Air Force previously flew Su-25s, operations ceased after the overthrow of the Saddam Hussein regime in 2003 and Iraqis have not flown the type for more than a decade. Pilots with previous experience on the type are to requalify on the aircraft before conducting operations against ISIS. Helicopter gunships have been heavily used in the fighting, but are proving to be vulnerable to small arms fire and other weapons used by the group.