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A-10 Thunderbolt II vs Su-25: how to tell them apart

Two combat aircraft that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

A-10 Thunderbolt II, combat aircraft from USA

A-10 Thunderbolt II

Combat aircraft, USA. In service since 1977

What gives it away

Straight wings, two big engine pods mounted high on the rear fuselage and twin tails at the very end.

Used by

USA

Photo: Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford and Largs, United Kingdom, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Su-25, combat aircraft from Soviet Union

Su-25

Combat aircraft, Soviet Union. In service since 1981

What gives it away

Straight, slightly swept wings, two engines in long nacelles along the fuselage sides and a long pointed nose.

Used by

Russia, Ukraine and others

Photo: Doomych, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
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