According to the State Military Industrial Committee of Belarus (Goskomvoenprom, GKVP) Belarusian Air Force has received four repaired Sukhoi Su-25 close air support (CAS) aircraf repaired by OAO 558 Aircraft Repair Plant. A ceremony to hand over the fourth aircraft took place in the Baranovichi airfield on 24 April. The ceremony was the final step in executing the contract on overhauling four Su-25 aircraft for the Belarusian armed forces. These aircraft had been overhauled ahead of the schedule specified by the contract. OAO 558 Aircraft Repair Plant has been in the business of overhauling and upgrading aircraft of the Su-25 (UB) type since 1994. So far the company has overhauled over 100 aircraft of the type, with eight aircraft getting major upgrades.
The Sukhoi Su-25 Grach (NATO reporting name: Frogfoot) is a single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by Sukhoi. It was designed to provide close air support for the Soviet Ground Forces.Early variants included the Su-25UB two-seat trainer, the Su-25BM for target-towing, and the Su-25K for export customers. Su-25s are in service with Russia, other CIS members, and export customers. The type has seen combat in several conflicts during its more than 30 years in service. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, Belarus was the second member state of the CIS, after Russia, to have a significant number of Su-25s. Seventy Su-25s and six Su-25UBs are reported to be operational and are mostly concentrated at Lida air base by 2004.
